Pakistan: The Magsi ethnic group, including inter-tribal violence, particularly between the Magsi Mohammadani and the Mughlani Magsi (2014 - February 2016)
1. Overview of the Magsi
The website of the government of Balochistan province indicates that Jhal Magsi [Jhall Magsi] is a district of Balochistan (Balochistan n.d.a) and that the Magsi tribe is the major tribe in this district (ibid. n.d.b). According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Jhal Magsi has an area of 3,615 square kilometres and its population, as of 1998, was 109,941 people (Pakistan n.d.). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an independent researcher, who is also a journalist and covers militancy and security issues in Pakistan, stated that there are approximately 100,000 people belonging to the Magsi tribe and that they live in Balochistan and Sindh provinces (Independent Researcher 10 Feb. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
The Balochistan government website notes that the Magsi are one of more than 20 Balochi-speaking tribes in the province, and that the province is racially, tribally and linguistically diverse (Balochistan n.d.c). The same website indicates that the Magsi are historically a branch of the Lashar tribe (ibid. n.d.b), who are also a Balochi-speaking tribe (ibid. n.d.c). In addition, each tribe in Balochistan is "futher sub-divided into various branches" (ibid.).
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), an independent Lahore-based NGO that monitors human rights violations throughout Pakistan, stated that the main sub-tribes of the Magsi are:
- Shambani Magsi
- Mughlani Magsi
- Mohammadi Magsi
- Adamani Magsi
- Sikhani Magsi
- Bothani Magsi
- Sarghani Magsi (HRCP 12 Feb. 2016).
The same source stated that the Magsi were once "part of the independent Balochistan movement but to a large extent have been absorbed in the political mainstream" (ibid.). Further and corroborating information about the Magsi's involvement with Balochistan independence movements could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), an "independent, non-governmental body which seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of human rights in the Asian region" (AHRC n.d.), stated that the Magsi are a "powerful group" in Balochistan who have held positions as "governor, chief ministers and ministers in provincial and federal governments" (AHRC 11 Feb. 2016). Sources report that the leader of the Magsi tribe is Nawab Zuflikar Ali Magsi, former chief minister of Balochistan (Balochistan n.d.b; HRCP 12 Feb. 2016) as well as Governor of Balochistan (ibid.).
2. Inter-tribal Violence
Minorities at Risk (MAR), a research project based at the University of Maryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM) that monitors and analyses the situation of ethnic groups throughout the world (MAR n.d.a), describes the people of Balochistan as being "fragmented politically, as well as by tribal and clan identities" (MAR n.d.b). The same source states that Baluchis "generally base their identities on tribal, clan, and sub-clan affiliations and loyalties to sardars, clan chiefs. Clan and sub-clan divisions have at times led to open intra-Baluch conflicts" (ibid.). According to the media source Press Trust of India (PTI), tribal feuds are "common" in Balochistan and some disputes start from "trivial issues" but last for years (PTI 9 May 2014). Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that disputes related to "water and grass for animals feed are not uncommon" in Balochistan and "often turn violent" because many people carry weapons (AFP 9 May 2014).
The HRCP representative stated that "[t]ribal rivalries exist and there are periodic cases of intertribal killings and violence" (HRCP 12 Feb. 2016).
Sources report on the following cases of intertribal or inter-clan violence among Magsi and/or in the district of Jhal Magsi between 2014 and February 2016:
- In March 2014, there was a "heavy gun battle" between two rival groups of Magsi in the Goth Kocha area of Jhal Magsi, the cause of which was attributed to "an old enmity" (Dawn 31 Mar. 2014).
- In May 2014, 11 people were killed and 5 to 7 were injured in a tribal clash related to grass-cutting rights in Jhal Magsi (Pakistan Today 9 May 2014; PTI 9 May 2014). Armed men of the Maachi clan reportedly raided the home of a member of the Peecho clan and shot and killed people (ibid.).
- In September 2014, three people were killed in Goth Chandarama, Jhal Magsi when two groups of Magsi fought each other with "[h]eavy weapons;" security forces were sent to the area to prevent further violence (Dawn 1 Sept. 2014).
- In October 2014, two people were killed in Jhal Magsi as a result of an armed clash between two clans of the Lashari tribe (The Balochistan Times 11 Oct. 2014).
Information on specific cases of violence between the Mohammadi and Mughlani groups of the Magsi tribes could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France-Presse (AFP). 9 May 2014. "Pakistan Grass-Cutting Row Claims 11 Lives." [Accessed 8 Feb. 2016]
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). 11 February 2016. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 25 Feb. 2016]
Balochistan. N.d.a. "Districts." [Accessed 8 Feb. 2016]
Balochistan. N.d.b. "Jhall Magsi." [Accessed 8 Feb. 2016]
Balochistan. N.d.c. "Culture and Heritage." [Accessed 25 Feb. 2016]
The Balochistan Times. 11 October 2014. "Tribal Clash Leaves Two Dead in Jhal Magsi." (Factiva)
Dawn. 1 September 2014. "Three Killed in Tribal Fighting." (Factiva)
Dawn. 31 March 2014. "Rival Groups of Magsi Tribe Clash." (Factiva)
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). 12 February 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate.
Independent Researcher. 10 February 2016. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.
Minorities at Risk Project (MAR), Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), University of Maryland. N.d.a. "The MAR Project." [Accessed 19 Feb. 2016]
Minorities at Risk Project (MAR), Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), University of Maryland. N.d.b. "Assessment for Baluchis in Pakistan." [Accessed 8 Feb. 2016]
Pakistan. N.d. Bureau of Statistics. "Jhal Magsi District at a Glance." [Accessed 8 Feb. 2016]
Pakistan Today. 9 May 2014. "Dispute on Grass-cutting Leaves 11 Dead in Balochistan." (Factiva)
Press Trust of India (PTI). 9 May 2014. "Grass Cutting Row Claims 11 Lives in Pak's Balochistan." (Factiva)
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: a human rights activist in London, UK; Professor, Habib University; Professor, Lahore University of Management Studies; Professor, University of Bath Spa; Research Fellow, Middle East Research Institute.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; BBC; Factiva; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; International Federation for Human Rights; International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; Jane's Terrorism Review; Minority Rights Group International; Muslim World; Radio France International; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; United Nations – OHCHR, Refworld, ReliefWeb; United States – Department of State.