AS part of its hybrid war, India has been working over the years to destabilize Balochistan by using the Afghan soil and by inciting the Baloch dissidents abroad. These are not allegations but known facts and can well be substantiated by the remarks made by the Indian civilian and military leadership. The very statements of former US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hegel and Former US Commander in Afghanistan Gen. MC Crystal are also on record regarding Indian subversive activities in the strategically located province. This was further confirmed when Pakistan arrested an Indian spy, a serving Officer of the Indian Navy, Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan in March 2016, who is still in Pakistan’s custody. In a televised statement, he confessed openly that he was tasked to destabilize Balochistan by supporting terrorists.
The fact of the matter is that India has never accepted the creation of Pakistan and its progress and development is not digestible to it under any circumstances and that is why it has unleashed a proxy war against Pakistan. Its main focus is on Balochistan as this resource-rich province alone has the potential to take the entire Pakistan to the path of economic prosperity. Especially the launch of multibillion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project has increased the prospects of development of the province. This is the reason that India is making all out efforts and using different malicious tactics to undermine this mega project. Given the cooperation and close partnership between Pakistan and China, we have no doubt in saying that India will fail in its nefarious designs and will only bite the dust. The best way to respond to Indian evil designs will be to fast track implementation of all the CPEC-related projects and ensure that its true benefits reach the common man in Balochistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan recently announced a very comprehensive package for South Balochistan. Implementation on it must be ensured at all costs. Peace and progress in Balochistan is critical to Pakistan’s overall development as it is only then we can make this region the hub of regional trade and exploit its so far hidden natural resources for the benefit of the country. Secondly, we need to take up the matters with Afghan authorities very candidly and seriously making it clear to them to stop allowing their land to be used against us. Whilst it is for the international community especially the United Nations to hold India accountable for its crimes and terrorism against Pakistan, New Delhi must also stop day dreaming of repeating the events of 1971 rather this time the threat of break up is hanging over its own head as the massive protest of Sikh farmers that has turned into a demand for a separate country is just the beginning.
