FROM THE CHIEF MINISTER’S DESK WASH A’AATKEY! On behalf of the people of Balochistan, I take great pride in warmly welcoming the distinguished international delegates attending the Asian Parliamentary Assembly’s Standing Committees’ meetings hosted by the Senate of Pakistan to Gwadar, the future of Pakistan. Balochistan has a proud history that stretches back to 7000 BC. The people who resided here 9000 years ago were well ahead in terms of arts, crafts, medicine, etc. Choosing Gwadar as the host city is a testament to one of APA’s core objectives i.e. regional cooperation. I sincerely appreciate the efforts undertaken by the forum in nearly two decades for the realization of its objectives. I pray for the success of the meetings that will take place in the city that is on the verge of shaping not only the future of Pakistan but will act as fulcrum point for regional cooperation. It is also my hope that deliberations that will take place during your stay here will further the core objectives of APA. The people of Gwadar are proud to host you in their city and I hope their hospitality will become one of the good memory of your time here. Once again, I welcome you all to our city and wish you a successful stay and experience. CHIEF MINISTER BALOCHISTAN Jam Kamal FROM THE SENATOR’S DESK SALAM! It is my most profound privilege to welcome our distinguished guests on behalf of the residents of Gwadar city and myself. It is indeed an honour for this city to host international delegates from across the world who are here to attend the meetings hosted by the Asian Parliamentary Assembly Standing Committee, under the auspices of the Senate of Pakistan. Given the role of APA as a forum which facilitates an elaborate and multi-faceted exchange of diverse and invaluable ideas and narratives, I am certain that this endeavour will be vital in arriving at potent strategies towards instilling peace and prosperity in the entire region. My people and I are humbled by the opportunity given to us to open our hearts and homes for our guests for this mutually rewarding engagement. SENATOR PAKISTAN Kahuda Babar FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK GREETINGS! The magazine in your hand today is testament to the value that my policy institute, the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research, accords to Balochistan. Motivated by the gap that can restructure the soft narrative image of the province spread over more than 40 percent of Pakistan’s territory, this socio cultural magazine has been launched to celebrate and cherish the distinctive Balochistan province by producing quality nomenclature. The discourse coming out of Pakistan since the past 15 years has alienated the international community. Pakistan had been represented as a place beset by terrorism, militancy and religious zealousness. This narrative has been a skewed one, seeking to amplify internal problems out of proportion. During this time, a conflagration was started in the restive fringes of Balochistan fuelled by the external vested interests. State utilities were sabotaged, the executive arm of the government and the security forces were critically targeted, while people of different ethnic and religious identities were killed. Peace has been restored now due to the immense valour and sacrifices of the security and administrative forces, but these experiences have tarnished the lofty image of Pakistan. The absence of narrative from Balochistan in the mainstream discourse gave birth to various misconceptions at the local and international levels. This issue was dealt with by giving space to Balochistan’s soft narrative through digital media platforms, which helped not only in demystifying myths about the province, but also in knowing the views of the people residing in the largest province of the country. In this regard, CSCR has contributed significantly and continues to do so, as it is our belief that a soft narrative works through the communication of cultural settings and values that can become an integrating factor within a national context. Given the interaction that blossomed due to shared work settings with the people of Balochistan, the realisation of a people to people disconnect, particularly of the Baloch populace with other regions, came to our notice. Our notions were further validated by the institute’s research conducted in the universities of Balochistan. This realisation prompted us to do focused work within Balochistan, using culture as a tool in interprovincial student exchanges to foster cohesion between Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan. Special topic based literature was specifically curated and designed to bridge the knowledge based vacuum. And our efforts bore fruit. This magazine is an extension of the earlier efforts. It is my hope that it enhances your awareness about a little known region, and creates room for you to relate with the social and cultural construct of Balochistan, as well as with the people of this brave land. Our experience of and in this region has been rewarding, and we now seek to share it with you. God bless Balochistan. God bless Pakistan. PRESIDENT CSCR Anas Abdullah FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK DEAR READER This publication, the first of its kind dedicated exclusively to the province of Balochistan, is a labor of love. We bring it to you in service of the Baloch people, in acknowledgement of their unrelenting perseverance and strength, and as a testament to the beauty and potential of a richly endowed region. Balochistan, despite its centrality to the country’s economic progress, as well as to regional peace and development, remains a relatively unknown entity to the rest of the country. Even with its diverse populace, varied topography, and rich history, very little is known about Baloch society and culture, its tangible and intangible heritage, its contemporary heroes, and its potential for socio economic progress. As a region poised to become a mega hub of regional development, we believe Balochistan needs to be brought into the limelight as a critical component of Pakistan’s diplomacy. This is fast becoming an essential requirement, not only in view of the need to build a narrative for international consumption, but also to raise awareness within the rest of Pakistan for all that Balochistan has to offer. The name ‘Colours of Balochistan’ has been chosen to highlight all these factors. Every two months, we plan to bring you a fresh issue which incorporates a myriad of themes, each piece carefully selected to highlight a specific aspect, be it the multi-cultural diversity, breathtaking geographical features, economic opportunities and ongoing infrastructural development, the potential for tourism, or the work being done by various entities and individuals for the socio-economic uplift of the Baloch people. We will discuss Baloch literature and poetry, travel and cuisine, the arts, history, architectural heritage and preservation, conservation and the environment, sports, and economic potential and investment. In our first issue, we undertake a journey along the scenic coastal highway setting off from Karachi, and pay a visit to an ancient hindu temple and pilgrimage site known as ‘Nani Mandir’, nestled deep in the recesses of the Hingol National Park. We analyze the water needs of the port city of Gwadar, and how the recently opened desalination plant will impact the lives of local residents. In the arts, we look at the history and meaning signified by traditional Baloch dances, while also delving into the contemporary in a conversation with Baloch rapper Sami Amiri who has been making waves on the Pakistani music scene. Finally, we look at the history of one of the country’s oldest institutions and one of our greatest sources of pride, the Command and Staff College in Quetta. It is our hope that this inaugural issue of ‘Colours of Balochistan’ inspires you to accompany us on a journey we believe is long overdue. And we look forward to traversing this path together. VICE PRESIDENT CSCR Aiza Azam The Ancient & the Living Nani Mandir Baloch Traditional Dances and the Legend of Hinglaj Mata Courage & Defiance 8 Exploring Nani Mandir, Balochistan’s hidden gem! Destination Balochistan From Karachi to Gwadar by Road Experiencing Balochistan’s raw beauty on a journey along 12 the Makran Coastal Highway Rising Region Gwadar Desalination Plant Command and Staff College Sustaining Life and Livelihoods A History of Excellence Addressing Gwadar’s chronic water shortage through desalination 16 plants and offering hope for a sustainable tomorrow Identities Baloch Traditional Dances Courage & Defiance Discovering the roots of ‘Lewa’, ‘Chaap’ and ‘Attan’ in Baloch tradition and culture 20 The Creative Vein Sami Amiri of Turbat A Dream of Song The story of victory of a Baloch millennial’s passion for music in face of social and financial adversities 23 Pride of Our Past Gwadar Desalination Plant Command and Staff College Sustaining Life and Livelihoods A History of Excellence Tale of one of the most coveted military training institutes with a reach as vast as its history 26 The Ancient and the Living NANI MANDIR AND THE LEGEND OF HINGLAJ MATA COLOURS OF BALOCHISTAN 10 October 2018 The return journey from any road trip, is also a ‘trip’ in itself, in the full emotional sense of the word. Like many travelers, I come back hoarding countless memories, experiences, and a renewed sense of self; most importantly, my camera cards filled with photographs act as a return ticket to moments that left me speechless. On our way back from Gwadar, we witnessed one of the most beautiful and raw terrains along the Makran Coastal Highway; with the bluest waters of Arabian Sea on one side, and the gigantic naturally carved rock formations of the Hingol National Park on the other.