Pakistan witnessed a series of violent attacks throughout Balochistan province where Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked multiple locations at one go killing at least 70 individuals. These attacks are getting more frequent and the scale is getting bigger with every attack. The demand for a separate state of Balochistan is getting more violent. It is important to note that this problem is as old as Pakistan itself but it has accelerated with the issue of “enforced missing” and “extra judicial killings” by the state.  

The genesis of separatist demands in Balochistan is attributed to the manner in which the Instrument of Accession was signed after remaining independent for around 227 days. Insurgency that was started by Prince Karim Khan in 1948 has now been taken ahead by various groups, chief of which is BLA. It has been conducting attacks on Pakistani forces, critical infrastructures and Chinese workers. This insurgency is deeply rooted in the cultural, ideological, social and religious fabric of Baloch society.

Root causes of insurgency

Economic exploitation has been a major contributor in the dissatisfaction against the state. Despite being resource rich, Balochistan is facing a severe economic crisis. Sui Gas field that is one of the largest reserves is in Balochistan but it receives only 12.5% of the revenue. A large chunk of oil and mineral resources especially copper and gold are exploited but Balochistan hardly gets its share. It receives only 9.7% of the total Pakistan’s National Finance Commissions awards, despite contributing significantly. The unemployment rate in Balochistan is around 33.4% highest among all the provinces, NWFP has around 26.1%, 19% in Punjab and 14.4% in Sindh. Almost 90% of the Baloch population are jobless.

Entry of Chinese companies under CPEC (China Pak Economic Corridor) has exacerbated Baloch grievances as there are accusations that Chinese companies even brought labour from China and controlled the seas, especially fishing, which has traditionally been a major source of employment. The presence of Chinese deep-sea trawlers in the exclusive economic zone off Sindh and Balochistan provinces has further exacerbated tensions. The Chinese intend to expand the fishing industry and that has accentuated fear among local communities.

More than 70% of the population of Balochistan is identified as multi dimensionally poor which is the highest in all four provinces as KPK has around 48% whereas Sindh has 45% and Punjab with 30% is the only state to have lower multi- dimensional poverty rate in Pakistan as compared to its national average of 39%.

Highhandedness and forced disappearances

State’s highhandedness and the indiscriminate use of force against civil society has been one of the major contributors of the dissatisfaction against it. The issue of forced disappearances is of the major concern. Islamabad in recent times has witnessed several protests by Baloch women activists regarding the issue of “missing persons”. In a HRCP report, some officials(unofficially) admitted the weakness of the legal system to release people due to lack of evidence. The Number of missing people runs in thousands in different claims.

Unnecessary checkpoints in the province also are considered as harassment. These are linked to the enforced disappearances where individuals are taken into custody without following the due process of law and at the same time the presence of a large chunk of checkpoints does aggravate the feeling of the Pakistan Army being an occupying force. As per 2022 data of Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, there are around 736 permanent checkpoints and 300 temporary ones while Punjab, Sindh and KPK have relatively lesser number of those. 

Educated youth among fighters

There is a situation when BLA has started using suicide attacks. In 2022 suicide attack at Karachi university, a 30-year-old law graduate operative named Shari Baloch detonated herself. A 2019 report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) noted that BLA recruitment had increased among urban, educated youth and 40% of BLA fighters had university education. This is the trend that is being seen in Balochistan.

There have been media reports regarding the possible collaboration between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and BLA. Previously it was seen that TTP was largely active in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) in KPK especially in south Waziristan but the recent statement of support to the oppressions on Baloch people was largely seen as an attempt of recruitment. It is highly unlikely that these two groups would come together, but on a temporary basis they might support each other with weapons and some fighters. There are various other ethnic fighter groups and they are increasingly collaborating with one another.

Blame on 'foreign hand'

Pakistan has time and again blamed Indian intelligence RAW for creating problems in Balochistan. But considering how the Pakistani state had treated their citizens in Balochistan, it appears far-fetched. Some Baloch leaders do seek India’s help but nothing has yet been offered by New Delhi. Since BLA’s objectives include Greater Balochistan that includes Iranian territories, there are accusations of Iranian interference too.

Balochistan remains a Pakistani faultline and it must be understood that it is a ‘political problem' even though the Pakistani state has been trying to deal with it all through as 'security problem'. The clear dissatisfaction of the people during accession to Pakistan is yet to be resolved. Forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are now the trademark policy impulses of the oppressive Pakistani regime. Along with these Baloch people are facing a serious crisis of water, electricity, education, employment and poor development which is pushing the youth towards extremism. Pakistan should stop taking refuge for its policy failure in the "foreign hand" and should instead provide Balochistan an equal standard of living as its other provinces to resolve this problem politically while refraining from using force against civilians.

(The author is a final year master’s student of International Relations in Pondicherry University, India. His area of interest includes Asian politics, terrorism, regional organizations and conflict studies. Views are personal. He can be contacted at vaibhavpal1107@gmail.com )