Quetta: Nawabzada Jamil Akbar Bugti, son of the late Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, has categorically rejected the legitimacy of the title “Chief of Bugti,” stating that no such position exists within the Bugti tribe either historically or under its current tribal structure.
In a statement, Jamil Akbar Bugti said that during his lifetime, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti had abolished all sub-chief positions in the tribe, retaining only the wadera system as the recognised form of tribal governance. He explained that titles such as Chief of Kalpar or Chief of Masuri were introduced in the past under wartime conditions as temporary arrangements to ensure continuity of leadership in case a Nawab or Sardar was killed or incapacitated.
According to him, these positions were never permanent and were formally abolished between 2003 and 2004. He added that although the Bugti tribe historically comprised six major sub-branches including Masuri, Kalpar, Shambani, Perozani and Chandrazai each with its own chief, all such titles were cancelled by Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti as part of tribal reforms.
Jamil Akbar Bugti stressed that the wadera system remains the only recognised structure within the tribe and clarified that there is no constitutional, traditional or tribal basis for the title “Chief of Bugti.” He warned that attempts to revive abolished titles amount to a distortion of Bugti history and undermine the reforms introduced by his father.
His statement came in response to a recent turban-tying ceremony in Dera Bugti, where Mir Sarfraz Bugti was declared “Chief of Bugti.” The event, widely reported by local media as a formal recognition of tribal leadership, sparked debate within the Bugti family and the wider tribe.
Jamil Akbar Bugti said the ceremony prompted his clarification as it created the misleading impression that a historically valid tribal office was being reinstated. He argued that such portrayals ignore the deliberate dismantling of the sub-chief system more than two decades ago.
He further claimed that the position assumed during the ceremony was, in reality, the wadera role of the Masuri sub-branch, which he said rightfully belongs to one of his cousins. He said that the rightful claimant was sidelined, calling the move a violation of Bugti traditions, tribal values and long-standing customs.
Describing the development as regrettable, Jamil Akbar Bugti said it sets a troubling precedent for the tribe. He added that misrepresenting abolished tribal titles not only disrupts internal tribal order but also disrespects the legacy and decisions of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, whose reforms were aimed at modernising and stabilising tribal governance.
