Balochistan possesses great economic potential and geostrategic significance, especially being an exit point of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its abundant natural resources. Significant gold and copper resources are considered substantial contributors in economic growth of Balochistan as well as Pakistan as a whole. Furthermore, Balochistan is strategically positioned as a major centre for international commerce lines linking China with the Middle East, Africa and Europe, culminating at the port of Gwadar. These factors have triggered a hostile reaction by India and other anti-state elements including proxies like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), the Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These organizations commit acts of violence and terrorism with the intention of upsetting regional stability and impeding economic expansion; they specifically target CPEC projects. The larger US-China geopolitical contestation in which India emerges as a strategic partner of the USA is unleashing a campaign by undermining China’s power, the CPEC and Sino-Pak collaboration in economic ventures. The goal of this two-pronged approach—direct assistance to separatist outfits and diplomatic ploys abroad—is to obstruct Pakistan’s aspirations for attaining its objectives of economic growth.
India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been perpetually involved in fomenting terrorism in Balochistan, according to revelations made by Kulbhushan Jadhav, Sarfaraz Bangalzai, and Gulzar Imam Shambe. This is achieved by using a vast network of proxies to divert significant resources towards destabilizing the area through a sophisticated combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures. An especially concerning aspect of this tactic is the widespread infiltration of social media which cultivates negative sentiments against Pakistan. Terrorist actions in Balochistan are supported via these platforms which are significantly affected by foreign accounts, mostly of Indian origin. These accounts coordinate well-planned campaigns. Narratives that are pushed include accusations of systemic discrimination against the Baloch people, accusations of exploitation by non-Baloch organizations, language that is critical of the military and China, and assertions that non-Baloch have deprived Baloch people. With strong Indian assistance, this planned social media attacks aim to exacerbate the already unstable situation in Balochistan by stoking unrest and undermining Pakistan’s efforts for stability.
In this context, Mah Rang Baloch has emerged as a prominent activist in Balochistan by championing the cause of Baloch nationalism and voicing strong opposition against Pakistani state policies and development projects. Since coming to light as a vociferous opponent of expansive projects like the CPEC, Mah Rang has established herself as a champion of Baloch rights, denouncing these endeavors as exploitative and harmful to local interests. One of her main activities is organizing demonstrations against the social and economic effects of CPEC, particularly the disruptions brought about by the Gwadar construction. She actively spearheads the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which is at the centre of her foreign-sponsored activities. While advancing Baloch unity and rights is one of the BYC’s goals, it has also come under fire for supporting separatist movements and anti-state attitudes. It is believed that Anti-Pakistan factions have rendered a massive support to the committee to destabilize Balochistan and discredit China and Pakistan economic cooperation in the province. Through coordinated social media operations meant to undermine CPEC and Pakistani state, Mah Rang and BYC are able to further their anti-state, anti-army and anti-China narratives. Gwadar has become a focal point of unrest created by BYC and they are exploiting the geo-strategic significance of Gwadar and its implications for Pakistan’s international image.
BYC’s duplicitous stance in furthering the missing persons issue and resorting to rhetoric of rights for the people of Balochistan is a foreign-sponsored agenda perpetrated by hostile anti-state actors. Choice of Gwadar as venue for protests needs to be seen in the true perspective of discrediting State of Pakistan and its efforts in revival of economy; an issue never digested by inimical forces. To address these issues, the Pakistani Government ought to use a multipronged strategy. Using inclusive development strategies, this entails resolving the justifiable complaints of local populations while implementing strong security measures to safeguard investment and infrastructure. It is essential to communicate openly and engage with Baloch leaders and stakeholders in order to achieve a fairer sharing of economic advantages. To ensure that Gwadar’s development benefits the area and the country as a whole, the State must also bolster its diplomatic and strategic outreach efforts in order to combat disinformation and mitigate sympathetic sentiments created through such campaigns.
—The author is an independent researcher who writes on issues concerning national and regional security, focusing on matters having critical impact in these milieus. She can be reached at [email protected]
