New DelhiBalochistan, a region of great geopolitical importance, is embroiled in a complex and protracted conflict.
The people of Balochistan are suffering immensely under the tight control of a military junta led by Pakistan and its intelligence agencies.
The dictatorial regime’s enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have had a severe impact on the Baloch community.
Historical background
Balochistan’s current situation has a historical background: it is Pakistan’s largest province by area and is endowed with abundant natural resources, yet remains one of the least developed regions in the country.
The origins of the ongoing conflict date back to the partition of India in 1947, when Baloch leaders sought independence.
But the region was forcibly annexed by Pakistan in 1948, sparking widespread resentment and a nationalist movement. Over the past 75 years, Balochistan has seen multiple rebellions demanding greater autonomy, control over the region’s resources and recognition of the Balochistan identity.
Pakistan as a state has responded primarily militarily. Its response to the Balochistan issue has been marked by brutal repression to stifle any dissent. This approach has created an atmosphere of constant tension and mistrust between the people of Balochistan and the federal government.
The role of the military and intelligence agencies
Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies play a central role in the conflict in Balochistan, a heavily militarised region with a strong military and paramilitary presence.
These forces have been accused of serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture.
Enforced disappearances have become a key tactic in state efforts to suppress Baloch nationalism in particular.
Activists, students and civilians suspected of separatist tendencies have often been abducted with complete disregard for the law and human rights. Human rights groups estimate that thousands of Baloch people have been subject to enforced disappearances, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan documented more than 1,000 similar cases of disappearances in Balochistan between 2014 and 2018. The bodies of missing Balochistanis are often found abandoned in remote parts of Pakistan with visible signs of torture and trauma.
Such extrajudicial killings are a grave violation of human rights carried out to intimidate and silence dissent within the Baloch community.
Despite repeated condemnation from global human rights organisations, the practice continues in Balochistan.
Balochistan is blessed with abundant natural resources, including natural gas, minerals and fisheries, which were meant to bring it prosperity, but the reality has been very different.
The state remains mired in poverty and has limited access to basic services such as health care, education and clean water.
This economic marginalization has fueled resentment among Baloch people, who see their resources being exploited for the benefit of other regions and the central government.
There is very little reinvestment in development.
The construction of Gwadar port, a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aptly illustrates the development paradox in Balochistan.
Although the project is promoted as an effort to spur local economic transformation, it largely excludes local participation and interest.
Land acquisition for the port and related infrastructure has forced the displacement of thousands of Balochistani families, intensifying their sense of disenfranchisement.
Local fishermen, who have depended on Gwadar’s coastal waters for generations, have reportedly been severely affected by restrictions on fishing activities and environmental degradation due to the construction of the port.
Humanitarian Crisis
The human cost of the conflict in Balochistan is enormous: a never-ending cycle of violence, enforced disappearances and killings has devastated countless families and communities.
Women and children in particular have suffered greatly, losing loved ones and living in constant fear of violence.
Humanitarian organizations face significant challenges in their work in Balochistan due to state censorship and security concerns.
International attention to the crisis was sporadic, and efforts to address human rights violations were generally ineffective.
Political situation
Balochistan’s political landscape is characterised by a fragmented and diverse set of actors, including nationalist parties, militant groups and tribal leaders.
Some factions call for complete independence from Pakistan, while others want greater autonomy within a federal framework.
Efforts to reach a political solution have been hampered by deep-rooted mistrust and the government’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
Sporadic attempts at reconciliation, such as amnesty programs for armed freedom fighters and promises of development projects, have failed to address the core issues driving the conflict.
Balochistan’s leadership remains skeptical of Pakistan’s intentions and sees these efforts as superficial and insincere.
According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal, more than 2,000 people have been killed in insurgency-related violence in Balochistan between 2010 and 2020, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the conflict.
International Dimension
Balochistan’s strategic importance and abundant natural resources have attracted international attention, adding further complexity to the conflict.
Pakistan’s partnership with China, especially through CPEC, highlights the global stakes in the region.
The international community’s response to the Balochistan issue has been inconsistent.
Although some human rights groups and foreign governments have condemned these abuses, there has been limited action taken to pressure the Pakistani government to address the situation.
Geopolitical interests often take precedence over human rights concerns, leaving the Baloch people with limited options on the international stage.
The conflict in Balochistan has been exacerbated by repressive actions by Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.
Their far-reaching influence, combined with the deliberate economic marginalization and political fragmentation of the Baloch people, has created a highly unstable situation which is causing severe suffering to the Baloch people.
Addressing this crisis requires genuine dialogue, protection of human rights, and a firm commitment to implementing development policies that prioritize the needs and aspirations of the people of Balochistan.
However, the attitude of the Pakistani regime does not inspire any hope.
