Quoted In Nikkei Asian Review
Malik Siraj Akbar is frequently quoted in the Nikkei Asian Review in articles dealing with China's Belt Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistan's domestic politics and economy, and issues pertaining to Pakistan's security issues and challenges. You can read several of the Review's articles that quote Malik by clicking here.
Voice of America Interview on Imran Khan's Visit to Washingtgon
Asad Hasan, a broadcaster from the Voice of America Urdu interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar on July 23, 2019, about the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Washington D.C., the future of U.S. Pakistan relations and the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban.
Quoted in TRT Article on the Baloch Liberation Army
Senior Pakistani journalist Zia Ur Rehman interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for a TRTWorld article about the U.S. State Department's decision to designate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as a global terrorist organization. Akbar said the decision would not impact the organization's operational capabilities. "They [terrorist organizations) are not like universities or NGOs that you revoke their accreditation and they shut down their offices the next day. They regroup, rename and reemerge as soon as the dust settles down," Akbar said.
Voice of America Urdu Interview: The Reko Diq Verdict
The Voice of America Urdu interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar on July 15, 2019, about the decision of the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to impose a fine of $5.8 billion in damages on the government of Pakistan in a dispute over the Reko Diq copper mine.
Interview with the BBC
The BBC Arabic interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar in February 2019 for a report about the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Pakistan and the heavy investments the Saudis and the Chinese are making there. Despite, the abysmal state of internal security and growing turmoil, Malik said, the Saudis and the Chinese were still willing to gamble on Pakistan.
Quoted by GW Professor in The National Interest Article on Afghanistan
On February 13, 2019, Amitai Etzioni, a Professor of International Affairs at the George Washington University, quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in his article "America Needs to Accept the Taliban Peace Deal".
While quoting Malik's January 29, 2019 Asia Times article, "Winners and loser of the Afghan peace process", Mr. Etzioni wrote: "Regional expert Malik Siraj Akbar writes, “The departure of the Americans is destined to revive the age of Taliban tyranny, restrictions on women’s education and gross violations of human rights.”
Quoted in the Times of India Article on Harvard Petition on Indo-Pak Peace
Malik Siraj Akbar spoke to the Times of India correspondent Sudipta Sengupta on March 1, 2019 about a petition signed by over 150 Harvard students, faculty and alumni about India-Pakistan peace in the wake of mounting tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries.
“I studied journalism in Chennai as an exchange student from Pakistan. Interactions with Indian students completely changed my perceptions about India and its people. I have learned that India and Pakistan can benefit a lot more by building peace and open their doors for public diplomacy," he said.
To Read the full petition, click here
Quoted in Le Monde about the attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi
On November 24, 2018, Par Julien Bouissou, the South Asian Correspondent of Le Monde, one of the leading newspapers in France, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi by the Baloch Liberation Army. Malik said this was the first time that that BLA, the most influential among the Baloch armed groups, had carried out an attack outside Balochistan.
Quoted in The National: Baloch separatist killed in Afghanistan
The UAE-based newspaper the National interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar on December 26, 2018, about the killing of Aslam Baloch, a commander of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in a suicide blast in Afghanistan.
Malik said, “In the 1970s and ’80s, Pakistan used the Afghan mujahideen to harass and chase the Balochs, but this time it seems Pakistan hunted him down with the help of its Taliban proxies."
Interview in the Huffington Post
On July 24, 2018, the Huffington Post foreign affairs reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed featured Malik Siraj Akbar in his long-format article about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the overall conflict in Balochistan, its history, and impact on the Baloch people. The author wrote, "Akbar was casually name-checked by almost everyone I talked to, from current officials to international outside experts and tribal chiefs-in-waiting. He’s deeply familiar with the perspectives of both Pakistani decision-makers and armed nationalists."
Interview with The News on Sunday about Pakistan's General Elections
The News on Sunday journalist Adnan Aamir interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about Pakistan's general elections of July 15 and the expected voter turnout on the polling day. The article, "Battle lines in Balochistan" was published on July 15, 2018. a
Interview with the Indian Express on the Killing of Siraj Raisani
Senior Indian journalist Nirupama Subramanian quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in her July 16, 2018 article about the killing of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Nawabzada Siraj Raisani in a suicide blast in Pakistan's Mastung District. Malik spoke about the causes of Mr. Raisani's hyper-nationalistic politics, his profound dislike for India and deep admiration for the Pakistan army.
Quoted in The News on Sunday on the Hazara Killings
Senior Pakistani journalist Zofeen T. Ebrahim interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her The News on Sunday article Killing Them Slowly published on May 13, 2018. Akbar talked about the recent wave of violence against Pakistan's Hazara/Shia minorities. He said the new generation of the anti-Shia extremists in Pakistan seemed inspired by and loyal to groups like the Islamic States.
Quoted in the Voice of America Article on Nawaz Sharif's Resignation
On August 8, 2017, Nazrana Ghaffar, a journalist for the Voice of America, quoted Malik Siraj Akbar for her article on the resignation of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges. Akbar said: "While Nawaz Sharif was somewhat interested in advancing peace with India, he didn't have an independent policy toward Afghanistan. He mainly depended on the military's narrative, interpretation, and strategy with respect to dealing with Afghanistan."
Quoted in CIMA Report on the Media in Pakistan
The veteran American researcher and journalism instructor Sherry Ricchiardi interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her detailed study, Challenges for Independent News Media in Pakistan, which was released by the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) in Washington D.C. on July 30, 2012.
Quoted in Oxford University Report on Media in Pakistan
Senior Pakistani journalist Razeshta Sethna interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her research paper on the Pakistani media Caught Between Five Extremes: Reporting Pakistan. The report was published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.
Interview with the Diplomat Magazine: The Islamic State in Pakistan
On December 14, 2016, researcher Shah Meer Baloch quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in his article "Is the Islamic State Now in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province?" Akbar said, "Pakistan is not a self-starter in terms of going after Islamic extremist groups. The last time Pakistan took action against al-Qaeda or the Taliban was because of force and incentives from the Americans."
Interview with the New York Times
On July 19, 2016, the New York Times reporter Karen Zraick interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the murder of social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch and the issue of honor killings in Pakistan. Akbar said so many men in Pakistan would condemn Ms. Baloch but “I’m sure they were all secretly following her stuff on Instagram.”
Profile: Washington Post
On November 14, 2011, Pamela Constable, a correspondent of the Washington Post profiled Malik Siraj Akbar about his decision to apply for political asylum in the United States and broadly the conflict in Balochistan. What’s going on in Baluchistan is like the dirty war in Argentina,” Akbar said. “I need to be telling the story, but I can’t afford to become the story.”
BBC News: Interview about Online Journalism and Censorship
On February 29, 2012, the BBC News interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about online journalism, conflict reporting and censorship in Pakistan. This report, initially done for BBC Urdu radio, was published in three versions, including BBC Online and BBC Urdu online.
BBC Urdu Audio Version
BBC Urdu Online Version
BBC World Report
Interview with BBC World
On September 16th, 2016, Owen Bennett-Jones presenter of BBC's Newshour interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about India's role and interests in Balochistan and reports about Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti's decision to seek Indian citizenship. To listen to the full interview, please click.
Quoted in the News on Sunday: Modi's Remarks on Balochistan
Journalist Adnan Aamir interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for his August 28, 2016 article "After the Speech" to get his views about the Indian Prime Minister Modi's August 15th speech mentioning Balochistan that escalated diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
Quoted in Al-Jazeera Article about Balochistan
In his Al-Jazeera article of January 15th, 2012, "Is Pakistan heading for disaster in Balochistan?", the American University Professor and Pakistan's former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Akbar S. Ahmed quoted Malik Siraj Akbar about the situation in Balochistan. "When I asked Malik what he had to say to Pakistan, he replied: "My message to Pakistan is simple: everyone should be provided equal opportunities of progress and prosperity. Who would like to live in a country which sends bullet-riddled dead bodies of young Baloch professionals on a regular basis? Underestimating the situation in Balochistan would amount to committing political suicide."
Al-Jazeera Interview: Sectarian Violence in Quetta
On February 17, 2013, Al-Jazeera interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about sectarian violence in Balochistan in the wake of a fresh attack that killed 84 people in Quetta. Akbar said, "Pakistani government has not had a policy of countering sectarianism in the southwestern region, which is a base for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and other armed Sunni groups."
Quoted in Daily Beast
An article in the Daily Beast on April 26, 2015, “In Pakistan, This Activist Was Martyred for Her Moderation”, written by journalists Asra Q. Nomani formerly of the Wall Street Journal and Beena Sarwar quoted Malik Siraj Akbar about the murder of Pakistani social activist Sabeen Mahmud. “The country is in the hands of beasts,” Akbar said. “They are out to shoot everyone who does not agree with the state’s narrative. And we, the liberals, feel the state is on the side of the extremists. It is a long battle.”
Interview with the "World Policy": The Invisible Persecution of the Baloch
On November 11, 2015, the New York-based World Policy interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for an article about the persecution of the Baloch. Akbar said, “The Baloch narrative is dominated by stories of old men, tribal notables, who were promised amnesty by the Pakistani authorities but then betrayed, humiliated, and then killed. Every time Pakistan reneges from an earlier commitment, it deepens the Baloch narrative that Pakistanis are not trustworthy to negotiate with.”
Quoted in Dawn: BALOCHISTAN: Band-aid solutions?
Journalist Mahvish Ahmad interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her article BALOCHISTAN: Band-aid solutions?. The article appeared in Pakistan's leading English newspaper, Dawn, on January 01, 2013. Akbar said, “the government has “missed opportunities after opportunities to fix Balochistan”. For all the (verbal) movement by Pakistan’s mainstream political forces, very little seems to have changed."
Interview with BBC Urdu
The BBC Urdu broadcaster Shafi Naqi Jamai interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the arrest of an alleged Indian spy from Balochistan. In the interview, Akbar disputed the Pakistani government’s claims that the arrested Indian national could possibly be helping Baloch nationalists.
Appearance on Voice of America
Malik Siraj Akbar appeared as a guest on Voice of America’s show “The Independence Avenue" on April 17, 2015 to talk about the recent handing over of the Gwadar Port in Balochistan to China. Also joined by Pakistan’s former Finance Minister Syed Salman Shah, the show was hosted by senior Journalist Tabinda Naeem. Akbar said the people of Balochistan should be the first ones to receive the benefits of the Gwadar Port and until now there were no signs of this happening.
Quoted in the Friday Times about long march for the missing Baloch persons
On November 29, 2013, the Friday Times journalist Zia Ur Rehman quoted Malik Siraj Akbar for his article "Long Way" about the long march seeking the recovery of the Baloch missing persons. Akbar said, "the PPP government had at least promised to address the issue, but the governments of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister
Dr Abdul Malik seem to have accepted the situation “as the new normal”."
Al-Jazeera: Crisis in Balochistan
On June 7, 2011, Malik Siraj Akbar appeared on Al-Jazeera show, the Stream, to speak about the conflict in Balochistan. Akbar provided a historical background of the conflict and also spoke about ongoing violations of human rights in Balochistan.
Quoted in The News on Sunday about extra judicial killings
On May 15, 2016, renowned investigative journalist Waqar Gillani quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in his article for the News on Sunday about extra-judicial killings in Balochistan. Akbar said extra-judicial killings in Balochistan had “led to the loss of the Baloch trust in state institutions. This breach of trust has also paved way for armed groups and separatists to fill that gap. People now look at the armed groups as their saviours"
Interview with BBC Urdu
On January 30th, 2016, Malik Siraj Akbar was interviewed by the BBC Urdu broadcaster Umer Afridi about the killing of Dr. Manan Baloch, the Secretary General of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), by the Pakistani security forces and its implications on the Baloch nationalist movement.
Interview with Indian Union Forum Debate (IUFD)
On October 26, 2016, the Indian Union Forum Debate (IUFD) interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar ahead of this year’s debate whether or not India should support Balochistan. Akbar spoke about the dynamics of the Baloch conflict and interests of various regional powers. To read the whole interview, please click here.
Interview with Rediff News
On September 2, 2016, Sudhir Bisht interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for Rediff India about the recent statements of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Balochistan. Akbar said, "I believe Modi mentioned Balochistan only to embarrass Pakistan and also divert attention toward the situation in Kashmir."
Interview with The New Indian Express
On August 20, 2016 , a reporter from the New Indian Express interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the Balochistan conflict. “The Pakistani military believes by arresting and torturing ‘bad guys’ it can fix Balochistan," Akbar said, "but this policy has not worked...it has backfired and generated more public support for the Baloch insurgents."
Interview with the Diplomat Magazine
On 26 August, 2016, Shah Meer, a reporter for the Diplomat Magazine, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar on the tenth death anniversary of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and its impact on the politics of Balochistan. Akbar said, “Baloch nationalists can be an ally in the fight against religious extremism instead of the government treating them as enemies.”
Interview with Qunit, India
On August 15, 2016 , Ashish Dikshit , a reporter for the Indian publication the Qunit interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar regarding the Indian Prime Minister Nrandra Modi's remarks about Balochistan. Akbar said he looked at Mr. Modi and the Baloch nationalists as strange bedfellows but still believed that mentioning of Balochistan by an Indian Prime Minister was unprecedented and it would help the Baloch separatists. To read the full article, please click here
Quoted in the Friday Times about Arab royals hunting in Balochistan
The Friday Times journalist Zia Ur Rehman interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for his November 1, 2013, article about Arab royals hunting endangered birds in Balochistan. "Since the intensification of the nationalist movement," Akbar said, "the Baloch have become more alert as to who visits their land and for what purpose."
Interview with Deutsche Welle
On May 13, 2015, Shamil Shams, a journalist from the German radio Deutsche Welle (DW) interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the killing of Ismaili Shia Muslims in the city of Karachi. The attack had killed 47 people. Akbar talked about close connections between the units of the Pakistani intelligence agencies and the Sunni militant organization, the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. These groups are connected with the Afghan Taliban and also the anti-Shia terrorist organization Jundullah, Akbar said, and they operate inside Iranian province of Balochistan.
Sharing Harvard Experiences
On January 1st, 2015, editors of the "Balochistan Point", Adnan Amir and Yousaf Ajab, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about his experiences at Harvard University and how students from backward areas could apply to world's leading universities. Akbar shared numerous tips with the aspiring students.
Quoted by Al-Jazeera: Lack of Coverage of the Balochistan Conflict
Journalist Karlos Zurutuza interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for his article about the lack of media coverage about the conflict in Balochistan. The article "A black hole for media in Balochistan" was published on February 5, 2014. Akbar said, "The Western media covers the whole Aghanistan-Pakistan region with a special focus on the 'war on terror', Islamic fundamentalism and issues of religious terrorism. There is scant realisation that the Baloch nationalist movement is absolutely different from the Taliban movement."
Quoted in Dawn: Balochistan's Middle-Class Rebellion
Journalist Mahvish Ahmad interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her article on Balochistan's middle-class rebellion. The article appeared in Pakistan's leading English newspaper, Dawn, on June 5, 2012. Akbar said, “Today's Baloch movement is headed not solely by [...] tribal chiefs, but [by] educated middle-class youth."
On Voice of America Show
On May 2nd, 2014, Malik Siraj Akbar participated in Voice of America’s weekly current affairs program, Access Point with Ayesha Tanzeem, to speak about the Amnesty International report about the dangers of reporting in Pakistan and the allegations about the involvement of intelligence agencies in muzzling the local media.
Quoted in the Guardian: Killing of Journalists in Pakistan
On 6 June 2012, Roy Greenslade quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in the Guardian story story Four Pakistani journalists murdered in a month". Akbar was mentioned saying journalists in Pakistan "are pressured to provide more airtime to the government, opposition parties and armed groups. This makes it impossible for journalists to work freely without irking any of the power centres."
Quoted in the Sunday Times, London, about threats to moderate voices in Pakistan
Prominent war correspondent Christina Lamb of the Sunday Times, London, quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in her article "Moderates killed in Pakistan’s ‘soft coup’" which was published on January 22, 2012. Akbar said more journalists were being killed in Pakistan than reported. “At least eight of my journalist friends were killed last year,” he said.
Interview with the Story of South Asia
On March 10, 2014, the Story of South Asia, a Washington DC-based website, published the following detailed interview of Malik Siraj Akbar about the conflict in Balochistan, challenges of the news media and the state of human rights. The interview was conducted by Roshan Ghimire.
Interview with Aymeric Janier
French journalist and blogger Aymeric Janier interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar on May 23rd, 2015, about the recent memorandum of understanding between the intelligence agencies of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He asked Akbar what would happen if either side violated the deal. Akbar responded that the failure of the deal is in Afghanistan’s interest because its success will mean more access for the Pakistani intelligence agencies to Afghan security apparatus and that is not a good sign for Kabul.
Profile: The News on Sunday
On June 13, 2011, senior journalist Beena Sarwar profiled Malik Siraj Akbar for the News on Sunday. Akbar spoke about the idea that led to the launch of the Baloch Hal, Balochistan's first online English language newspaper, challenges the news media face and how an escalation in violence has begun to engulf journalists and human rights activists in the conflict-ridden province.
Radio Free Europe: 'Painful Decision' To Apply For Asylum In U.S.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Mashaal station on November 18, 2011, Malik Siraj Akbar described how the disappearances and deaths of colleagues back home prompted him to make the "painful" decision to apply for political asylum in the United States.
Dunya News: Political Asylum in the United States
Awais Saleem, Washington correspondent of the Pakistani news channel Dunya News, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about circumstances that compelled him to apply for political asylum in the United States. Akbar said increasing violence against journalists in Balochistan and the ban on his online newspaper, the Baloch Hal, had forced him to apply for political asylum.
Radio Balochistan: The Redefined Dimensions of the Baloch Nationalist Movement
On Apr 7, 2011, Samandar Askani from the Radio Balochistan, Sweden, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about his book "The Redefined Dimensions of Baloch Nationalist Movement" and his experiences at Arizona State University as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow. He also talked about hardships journalists face while reporting on the conflict in Balochistan.
Quoted in Dawn: General elections and calls for boycott
Journalist Mahvish Ahmad interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for an article about Baloch leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal's decision to appear before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The artilce "As Mengal The article, "was published on Mar 25, 2013. Akbar said, "Establishment politicians who are members of the enormous and well-funded all-Pakistan parties like the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), or even the Balochistan National Party-Awami — an establishment darling — have the funds to protect themselves against these sorts of attacks. Parties like BNP-M and the NP who rely on political workers more than lands, pressure builds to boycott elections" electables end up losing out."
Radio Canada International: The importance of social media
On June 25, 2011, Malik Siraj Akbar spoke to Radio Canada International about the challenges of running an online newspaper aboutBalochistan; the importance of social media, of using the Internet, and the interactivity that the Internet offers in conflict zones.
Q&A with Deutsche Welle: "Pakistani army involved in Baloch kidnappings"
On December 6, 2013, Shamil Shams, a senior journalist with the German radio station, Deutsche Welle, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the involvement of the security forces in human rights abuses in Balochistan. "The conflict in Balochistan is not between Baloch separatists and the chief minister," Akbar said, "It is a conflict between the Baloch people and the Pakistani army and the federal government."
Interview with Deutsche Welle: The CIA Report
On December 10, 2014, Malik Siraj Akbar was interviewed by Shamil Shams, a senior journalist with the German radio station, Deutsche Welle. Quoting the Asian Human Rights Commission, Akbar said, "the Pakistani army operates dozens of illegal underground torture cells in different parts of the country and various intelligence agencies do not share complete information with each other about their operations and torture cells."
Tanqeed: Q&A on the Mashky Operation
In December 2012, Tanqeed, a magazine of politics and culture, interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about the Mashky operation carried out by the Frontier Corps (FC). "The media should be provided access to the area," said Akbar, "it should cover the operation objectively and impartially."
News Pakistan: Causes and Consequences of the Conflict in Balochistan
News Pakistan conducted an extensive interview with Malik Siraj Akbar to discuss a wide-range of topics, including the conflict in Balochistan, human rights, and the media. The interview was conducted by Faisal Farooq and published in two parts on November 2,3, 2012
Cited in Dawn Newspaper
Malik Siraj Akbar was mentioned by Dawn newspaper columnist Cyril Almeida in his article, All Baloch shouldn`t be tarred with same brush published on July 25th, 2010. “Perhaps they [Baloch nationalists] don't want to put all their eggs in one basket," Akbar said, "if one group is dismantled, at least the others will still exist."
Quoted in The Hindu: Blackout of Balochistan News in the Pakistani Media
On May 18, 2013, Anita Joshua, the Pakistan correspondent of the Indian newspaper, the Hindu, quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in her article "A festering wound in Pakistan" about the blackout of news reports regarding Balochistan in the mainstream Pakistani media. Akbar said, "“A lot of media outlets are compelled to opt for a blackout of news from the conflict-stricken province because of pressure from the ‘higher authorities' who cite the ‘sensitivity' of the conflict vis-à-vis the national security paradigm as a serious concern."
Quoted by IPS: ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Feared in Balochistan
The IPS journalist Zofeen Ebrahim interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her June 23, 2011, story ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Feared in Balochistan'. Akbar said, "men, between 20 and 40, usually staunch nationalists, are picked up from a public place in broad daylight by armed people, intelligence men in uniform and in plainclothes...these men are the “cream" of Baloch society."
Voice of America: Violence against the Police
In July 2010, Voice of America interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar about targeted killings of policemen in Balochistan as well as sectarian killings in the province. He said sectarian violence did not get as much attention in the media as nationalistic violence did mainly because sectarian violence also takes place elsewhere in Pakistan.
Quoted by IPS: State of the Media in Balochistan
On January, 11 2012, IPS journalist Zofeen Ebrahim interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her article "Balochistan a Hornet’s Nest for Journalists". Akbar said, “in Balochistan, there is guerilla warfare. There are at least five Baloch armed groups fighting the security forces. In addition, there are intelligence agencies, paramilitary forces and five anti-nationalists groups and some militant religious groups as well."
Quoted in McClatchy: The Baloch Rebellion
On March 29, 2012, Tom Hussain, a reporter for McClatchy Newspapers, quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in his article "Baluchistan separatists in Pakistan beset by divisions". Akbar said, "Different armed groups [in Balochistan] operate in various districts and they do not interfere in each other's areas of operation."
Quoted in Huffington Post: Congressional Hearing on Balochistan
Journalist Eddie Walsh interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for his March 28, 2012 article "Baloch Could Divide Administration and Congress on Pakistan Policy". Akbar said, “the Baloch community is blowing State Department comments out of proportion. They think there has been a U-Turn on U.S. policy but there hasn’t been one. As this point, the U.S. might be concerned about human rights but they do not support independence. I don’t think there has been a policy shift.”
Interview with Deutsche Welle: Ban on the Baloch Hal
On November 22, 2010, Malik Siraj Akbar was interviewed by German radio station, Deutsche Welle, about the ban on the Baloch Hal by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Akbar said the government had banned the Baloch Hal because of the latter's criticism of the government regarding its failure to recover the missing Baloch persons.
Quoted in the Guardian: The Abduction of UNHCR Balochistan Chief
reporters Saeed Shah and Sandra Laville quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in a story about the abduction of the Balochistan chief of the United Nations High Commission Guardian On March 20th, 2009, the on Refugees. "Hyrbyair Marri is acceptable to the armed groups, that's made him the focus, the most important person right now [in the negotiations]," said Akbar. "He is the only man who can influence the BLUF."
Quoted in Dawn: Reluctant Pakistanis
Senior journalist Zofeen T. Ebrahim interviewed Malik Siraj Akbar for her article "Reluctant Pakistanis". The article appeared in Dawn on July 04, 2011. Akbar said, “The establishment is diversity blind and does not recognise ethnic or political diversity... all parameters of patriotism are set in Islamabad. Those who do not fit into the mould of the “centralised Pakistani Muslim” or do “not believe in a certain political discourse”, are labelled anti-state and their voices quashed”.
Quoted in Washington Times: Taliban Jundullah Nexus
On July 9, 2009, the Washington Times quoted Malik Siraj Akbar in its story "Taliban eyes new allies". Akbar said Abdul Malik Rigi, the leader of Jundullah, studied at madrassas in Karachi, where Taliban leaders also got their schooling. "Mr. Rigi frequents the Pakistani border towns Taftan Turbat and Panjgur and is always accompanied by 15 to 20 armed guards," Akbar said.
