Balochistan Liberation Army chief Ghazain Marri has been detained by the United Arab Emirates government in Dubai on money laundering charges, according to well-placed sources. The sources said that the second eldest son of the Nawab was taken into custody on March 22 by the Dubai authorities for his alleged involvement in money laundering cases in the Persian Gulf emirate. Sources said the 46-year-old Ghazain was picked up from Dubai’s Dera area on the request of the Pakistan government which had lodged a formal complaint to the UAE government about the alleged involvement of Khair Bux’s son in arranging finances for terrorist activities.Pakistan authorities said that Ghazain, “has been providing bread and butter” to all those conceiving, planning and executing acts of terrorism across Balochistan. The sources said it was not clear yet whether the Pakistan authorities were seeking his extradition or trying to cut a deal with him in order to bring an end to the present upheavals in Balochistan. “It is indeed a big breakthrough for the government,” said a source close to senior government circles.
However, Ghulam Mohammad, the Balochistan National Movement president, who is known for his close links with the Marris, said he was not aware about GhazainÂ’s detention or arrest in the UAE or anywhere else. Raziq Bugti, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister, also expressed ignorance about this matter.
| The advisor to the chief minister is always the last to know. |