THE tragic incidents of terrorism in parts of the Balochistan Province on 26 August 2024 have killed dozens of civilians and security forces personnel. These were the worst terrorist attacks witnessed in the province in the last many years. The banned terrorist organization, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has taken the responsibility of these terrorist attacks. These attacks were planned with a lot of meticulous planning and conducted in the cruellest manner. This speaks of the training of the banned BLA and similar other terrorist outfits in the Province. Whereas, Musakhel attack was much projected by media, since over two dozen passengers were offloaded from the vehicles and brutally killed after identification parade besides setting ablaze over a dozen vehicles, the other incidents of killings were even worse in nature and conducted more heartlessly. These attacks were conducted on the day when Commander of the Ground Forces of the People’s Liberation Army of China General Li Qiaoming was visiting Pakistan and had a meeting with the Army Chief at the GHQ.
The terrorist attacks of the BLA can be analyzed from multiple angles: a) a message to China to stop collaboration and coordination with Pakistan, b) sabotaging the CPEC and Gwadar Port Project, and c) initiating and igniting ethnic conflict in Pakistan. Indeed, the commander of the banned BLA later issued a warning to Pakistan and China too. Keeping China away from cooperating with Pakistan and implementation of the CPEC seems more of the agendas of the regional and international powers rather than the local people of the Province. Rather, people of Pakistan should see these two agendas as more significant for the development of the Province. CPEC and Operationalization of Gwadar Port will benefit the local population more than any other part of Pakistan. These two projects will boost economic activities in the province, giving a lot of job opportunities for the people of Balochistan.
Nevertheless, these projects are irritants for the anti-Pakistan and anti-Province forces which would never like to see economic progress in the country and the Province. This means that the BLA is being used against the interests of Pakistan and especially against the interest of the people of Balochistan. How can this terrorist outfit talk about the rights of the people of Balochistan?. This should be known to the people of Balochistan and indeed, entire Pakistan. Killing non-Balochi people who are contributing in various economic activities of the province is another act of antagonism with people of Balochistan. It clearly means two things; a) creating ethnic conflict in Pakistan which indirectly benefits the enemies of Pakistan and more so the enemies of the people of Balochistan province. It is an effort for stoppage of all economic activities in the Province which is a clear enmity with the people of Balochistan.
This analysis clearly leads towards a conclusion that all terrorists’ activities of banned terrorist groups in the province are meant to keep the people in extremely backward economic status, alienated and isolated from the rest of the country. It is a clear exploitation of the people of Balochistan in the name of sub-nationalism and human rights. These are indeed the agenda of international forces that desire to dislocate and ruin Pakistan internally. These incidents and the objectives linked with these must be known to the people of the Province and every Pakistani national.
As during the Cold War, the ultimate target of this major power competition is Pakistan and the current phase of terrorism in Balochistan is a manifestation of Pakistan’s suffering. The clashing interests of major powers and regional states have created a strategic dilemma for Pakistan, which Islamabad needs to address with wisdom and foresight. The threats posed to Balochistan are indeed serious in nature, directly impacting the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
Though there is no direct threat from the conventional and traditional perspective of warfare, yet the transformed nature of these threats are seriously undermining the provincial security, the safety of masses and its economic prosperity and stability.
Resources of the province belong to its people, thus must be utilized for the socio-economic uplift of the locals. The Reko-Diq project and other similar projects should play a significant role towards economic development including job creation for the local masses of the province. Marine resources should be utilized for the people of the coastal belt and the State should ensure that the rights of local fishermen are fully protected. Indeed, there is a need that there should develop a feeling and sense of belonging, sense of pride and ownership among the people, especially the youth of the province over their resources and provincial government in a tangible form.
Indeed, owing to its strategic positioning, the major powers and regional states are directly and indirectly playing their active roles to keep the state of Pakistan in turmoil by waging indirect war (through terrorism) in the province. Apart from terrorism the distinctive feature of these challenges is a war of narratives, perceptions and opinion making against the state and its institutions implemented through hybrid warfare. As a way forward the Government must devise strategies for the direct social engagement with the masses of the province while addressing their socio-economic concerns and restoration of their trust over the state. A two- pronged strategy; a) engagement and dialogue with local population and those having grievances but not taken up arms against the State and b) combating the elements of banned terrorist organizations like BLA is a suggested way forward.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
