Islamabad: Former President Pervez Musharraf had asked the United States to intervene on alleged attempts of India and Afghanistan to destabilise Balochistan, according to a 2007 diplomatic cable released by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks.
In a September 21, 2007 cable, the then US Ambassador to Islamabad, Anne Patterson, wrote about the details of a meeting between Musharraf, Deputy Secretary John Negroponte and US Assistant Secretary for South Asia Richard Boucher.
According to the cable, Musharraf asked the US to intervene on one issue of real concern- the “deliberate” attempt of Kabul and New Delhi to destabilise Balochistan.
He insisted that Pakistan had ample proof that India and Afghanistan were involved in efforts to provide weapons, training and funding for Baloch extremists through Brahamdagh Bugti and Baloch Marri, two Baloch nationalists, who were living in Kabul.
“We have letters instructing who to give what weapons to whom,” he claimed.
Musharraf said he had raised this issue with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who replied: “Give me time and I will address it.” Musharraf said he was still waiting.
Accusing New Delhi of trying to destabilise Balochistan, he added: “If India wants to continue, let’s see what our options will be.”
The cable said that Negroponte also asked Musharraf “if, after the elections, there was a possibility to move forward on negotiations with India.”
“Musharraf said yes, especially on Kashmir, where the population was getting restless,” the cable added.
ANI
