4

Oct

Unrest and Violence in Balochistan: A Crisis Ignored

image

Our Correspondent

New Delhi | Friday | 4 October 2024

The recent surge in violence in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where over 50 people lost their lives in multiple attacks, has once again brought the region’s long-standing unrest into focus. This troubled province, plagued by political instability, is home to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group that identifies as nationalist but is labeled a terrorist organization by the Pakistani government. The BLA has specifically targeted Chinese workers, security personnel, Punjabi laborers, and those involved in development projects, particularly linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The BLA has emerged as the most violent group in the region, actively discouraging development initiatives. Both the Pakistani government and international stakeholders have voiced concerns over this, with some accusing a neighboring country of funding and arming the insurgents to destabilize Pakistan permanently. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have pointed out the alarming number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation. As the insurgency grows, it is becoming increasingly clear that Pakistan cannot rely solely on military solutions to resolve this deep-rooted conflict.

The attacks that began on August 25, 2024, were brutal and widespread, affecting various parts of the province. According to the Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, terrorists claimed 38 innocent lives, while the Pakistani military confirmed that 14 security personnel were also killed. The violence unfolded in areas such as Mastung, Kalat, Pasni, and Suntsar, where checkpoints and police stations were attacked. The insurgents employed grenades and explosives, even destroying a railway track near Mastung.

 

Article at a Glance
The recent surge in violence in Pakistan's Balochistan province has brought the region's long-standing unrest into focus. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a nationalist group labeled as a terrorist organization by the Pakistani government, has targeted Chinese workers, security personnel, and development projects.
The BLA has emerged as the most violent group in the region, actively discouraging development initiatives. The Pakistani government and international stakeholders have voiced concerns over the growing insurgency, with some accusing a neighboring country of funding and arming the insurgents.
Human rights organizations have also pointed out the alarming number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. To achieve long-term peace and stability, Pakistan must adopt a comprehensive approach, addressing the developmental needs of the province, stopping human rights violations, and engaging with peaceful civil rights groups. A focus on dialogue, development, and respect for human rights is crucial to quell the unrest.

 

In a particularly heinous act, armed men stopped buses and trucks in the Musakhail district, forcefully removing passengers and executing them after verifying their identities. This marked one of the most chilling incidents in the recent wave of violence, highlighting the growing boldness of the insurgents and the increasing danger in Balochistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attacks, expressing grief over the loss of lives. These incidents coincided with the 18th death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a nationalist leader who was killed in 2006 during a military operation. His death is a symbolic rallying point for the Baloch separatist movement, and every year, the anniversary is marked by violence. This year’s attacks underline the enduring influence of Bugti’s legacy and the separatists' ability to strike across the province.

Despite being Pakistan’s largest province and rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, and minerals, Balochistan remains the country’s poorest region. The provincial population of 15 million people has seen little benefit from the wealth extracted from their land. Instead, the people face neglect, poverty, and a sense of exploitation, which fuels the insurgency.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, violent attacks in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have escalated. In 2023 alone, Balochistan accounted for 23% of Pakistan’s 650 violent attacks, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The BLA has claimed responsibility for several of these incidents, targeting infrastructure and killing migrant laborers from Punjab. These attacks not only reflect the growing strength of the insurgency but also highlight the failures of Pakistan’s security apparatus in containing the violence.

Pakistan’s historical response to Balochistan’s unrest has been overwhelmingly militaristic. The government’s failure to address the grievances of the Baloch people—whether political, economic, or social—has left the region in a constant state of unrest. The federal government is often accused of extracting resources from Balochistan without benefiting the local population, further inflaming anti-Punjab sentiment among Baloch separatists.

The CPEC, a major infrastructure project that passes through Balochistan, has become a symbol of this exploitation. While it promises significant economic benefits, many in Balochistan feel they have been left out of the gains, seeing instead a demographic shift as non-locals move in to work on these projects. The arrival of Chinese interests, particularly in Gwadar, has sparked protests among local fishing communities who fear losing access to the coastline and their livelihoods.

Beyond the insurgency, Balochistan is also a human rights battleground. Enforced disappearances, often ending in extra-judicial killings, are a dark chapter in the province’s history. Civil society groups estimate over 7,000 cases of disappearances between 2002 and 2024. The Pakistani government’s heavy-handed approach to counter-insurgency has exacerbated tensions, with many peaceful activists also being targeted.

If Pakistan is to achieve long-term peace and stability in Balochistan, it must adopt a more comprehensive approach. Addressing the developmental needs of the province, stopping human rights violations, and engaging with peaceful civil rights groups are crucial steps toward rebuilding trust with the Baloch people. The government’s focus on infrastructure projects must include local participation and ensure that the benefits are shared equitably.

As Pakistan navigates these complex challenges, it is vital for the state to listen to Balochistan’s grievances and seek solutions beyond military force. Only through dialogue, development, and respect for human rights can the country hope to quell the unrest and bring peace to its largest and most troubled province.

---------------

  • Share:

About Us

We must explain to you how all seds this mistakens idea off denouncing pleasures and praising pain was born and I will give you a completed accounts..

Contact Us

Contact Info

  • 70, Gyan Khand- 4, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. Uttar Pradesh.
  • +91-9810533682
  • info@mediamap.co.in
  • Week Days: 09.00 to 18.00 Sunday: Closed