A path to peace in incendiary Balochistan

Asia Times

17-03-2025

Pakistan's Baloch insurgency is not merely a law and order issue; it is a manifestation of decades-long state failure, broken promises and exploitative policies.
Successive governments have responded to Baloch grievances with force rather than dialogue, treating a political problem as a military one. As a result, the conflict has only intensified, with insurgent attacks becoming more sophisticated and brutal.
The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent passengers and all 33 insurgents, is the latest example of a deepening crisis that the state has consistently mishandled.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest and most resource-rich province, remains its most impoverished. Despite contributing significantly to the country's gas and mineral reserves, Balochistan has been systematically denied its rightful share of development.
Roads, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure remain woefully inadequate, leaving large swathes of the province in extreme poverty. This economic disparity has been at the heart of Baloch resentment since Pakistan's creation, but instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, the state has relied on military crackdowns, enforced disappearances and political suppression.
Historically, every attempt by Baloch leaders to secure greater autonomy or resource control has been met with brute force. From the military operation against Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006 to the ongoing campaign of enforced disappearances, Pakistan's approach has been to silence dissent rather than engage with it.
This heavy-handed response has radicalized generations of Baloch youth, pushing them toward insurgent groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA), who now see violence as the only means of securing their rights.
The state's handling of Balochistan has been defined by shortsighted policies that prioritize control over reconciliation.
One of the most glaring examples is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar project that runs through Balochistan but provides little benefit to its people. Roads and ports are built for Chinese interests while security forces are deployed to protect foreign investments. Meanwhile, the Baloch remain marginalized in their own land.
Rather than using CPEC as an opportunity to integrate Balochistan into the national economy, the government has treated it as a security project, deepening the resentment that fuels the insurgency. Moreover, the state's reliance on military solutions has made matters worse.
Instead of engaging with legitimate Baloch political leaders, the government has empowered puppet politicians who lack credibility and influence. This political vacuum has allowed insurgent groups to present themselves as the true representatives of Baloch aspirations.
At the same time, the military's counterinsurgency tactics, marked by extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, have turned the conflict into a cycle of violence, with each act of state repression pushing more young Baloch into the ranks of insurgent groups.
The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, in which Baloch insurgents took hundreds of passengers hostage, more than 25 of whom were killed, should serve as a wake-up call for the Pakistani state. The attack, which ended in a deadly confrontation with security forces, was not just alarming but also a clear warning to state authorities.
It demonstrated that the insurgents are willing to escalate their fight, even at the cost of civilian lives. More importantly, it also highlighted the government's inability to contain the insurgency despite years of military operations, mass human rights violations, enforced disappearances and intelligence crackdowns.
Pathetically, the government's immediate response was to blame Afghanistan and India, once again deflecting responsibility instead of addressing the real issues. Even if external forces are exploiting the insurgency, the root cause remains domestic: a long history of political exclusion, economic exploitation and systematic abuse.
No foreign power can fuel an insurgency unless there is already deep discontent within the population.
The Balochistan issue is one of Pakistan's most critical internal challenges, rooted in historical grievances, political marginalization, economic exploitation and human rights violations.
A sustainable resolution requires a comprehensive approach centered on democratic representation, justice, development and meaningful dialogue rather than coercion and suppression.
First, political alienation fuels unrest, as elections often install illegitimate representatives. Ensuring free and fair elections without military interference is crucial to restoring trust and providing Balochistan with genuine political leadership. A credible democratic process will empower real representatives to address grievances effectively.
Second, human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, deepen resentment. The state must end these abuses, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure fair trials. Without addressing these injustices, reconciliation efforts will lack credibility and fail to gain public trust.
Third, despite its vast resources, Balochistan remains underdeveloped due to corruption. A significant portion of development funds is misappropriated by politicians, officials and contractors, leaving little for actual projects. Transparent governance, independent oversight and community monitoring are essential to ensuring that development reaches the people.
Fourth, dialogue is key to resolving the conflict, but it must be credible and inclusive. Engaging respected Baloch leaders like Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Akhtar Mengal, and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch can facilitate meaningful negotiations. The government must move beyond symbolic gestures and genuinely address political, economic and security concerns.
Fifth, reconciliation must be sincere, not staged. Past injustices must be acknowledged, political prisoners released, and former dissidents integrated into society. The use of force as a governing tool must end. Only genuine efforts can build trust and create lasting peace.
Finally, and most important, is the state's political will and commitment. A security-centric approach will only deepen mistrust and prolong the conflict. Pakistan's stability and economic future depend on treating Balochistan as an equal partner through justice, development and democratic inclusion.