'Memoir for the Indian Political Service - Scheme by Lieut. Colonel L.A.G. Pinhey O.B.E.' [‎19r] (37/44)

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constant threat to the Pakistan Government. Part of this is
due to the tapping of rich gas deposits, particularly in the
Sui area of the Bugti tribe with all its accompanying com
mercialisation and influx of outside influences including
Unions and left-wing political organisations.
At the time that I held this appointment there were virtually
no roads and all touring was done on horseback.
Apart from the Baluchi tribal area the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Sibi
had a sizeable Pathan tribal area in the North of the District
and covering the Ziarat range which included the summer Head
quarters of the A.G.G. in Baluchistan and also of the Sibi
area. This area was dominated by some of the highest peaks
of the mountain range including Khalifat, over 11,000 ft. and
fertile valleys and a large Juniper forest, which was said to
be one of the largest in Asia. It v/as certainly one of the
most beautiful areas in the whole of Baluchistan and the Pathan
tribes of the area, Kakars, with the sub-tribes of Panezai and
Sarangzai, were among the most peaceful and co-operative tribes
in the whole Province. The Juniper forest was commercially
important as it produced large quantities of Bphedra and other
shrubs with high medical value.
The original railway from Sindh into Baluchistan also ran
through the District via the Chappar Rift valley which event
ually became a small loop line of the main Sindh - Quetta
line through the Bolan Pass. The Chappar Rift line was much
in demand as a spectacle for visitors to Baluchistan who were
taken on railway trollies through the gorge.
I have written at some length of my spell as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
in Sibi as it was my last post involving direct administration
and the most rewarding and enjoyable period of my life as a
Political Officer. With three H.Q. houses, one at sea-level
in Sibi itself, one at about 4,000 ft. at Harnai and one summer
H.Q. at nearly 8,000 ft. in Ziarat, the life was full of very
varied problems, with tribes of very different backgrounds and
traditions. One could say that basically the Patnans were
entirely Democratic while the Baluchis up to that time were
essentially Autocratic and much more subservient to their own
tribal leaders.