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WE are among the few states that have to contend with threats on all fronts: India to the east, TTP in the north, Afghanistan to the west and BLA in the south. Everyone agrees on the basic aim: defuse the threats to transform from a security state to a welfare state. The divide persists on strategy: between a military one that wins battles and a holistic one that fixes root causes and respects rights and laws that can lead to sustainable peace.
A holistic approach is most vital in Balochistan, now in the third decade of its fifth and longest insurgency. Focusing only on the kinetic aspect to quell terrorism misses a key point. Force alone doesn’t end threats. Violence recurs over the decades and lasts longer each time when neglect and abuse keep inciting anger and new recruits. Balochistan’s economic neglect is stark: it is our poorest region despite its small numbers, natural wealth and proximity to the rich Gulf states. It’s rich below the ground but poor above it. The political neglect goes back to the British era. Unlike in the case of other provinces joining Pakistan, Balochistan had no assembly vote/referendum on its status in 1947; its future was determined through elite consensus. This was despite its mix of unique traits — historical autonomy, distinct ethnicity and vast area — that led to initial talks on provincial status much before 1947, unlike for the princely states merged with the other provinces.
