- EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 09/Jul 23:03

Extracted, Excluded, Erased: The Baloch Dilemma In Pakistan – OpEd

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province, has long been a center of resistance where aspirations for autonomy, dignity, and justice have repeatedly clashed with the centralizing tendencies of the state. The province's contentious accession on March 27, 1948—signed by the Khan of Kalat under pressure—is widely seen by Baloch nationalists as coerced, sparking a protracted struggle for self-determination. Since then, Balochistan has witnessed five major insurgencies, driven by persistent political marginalization, cultural suppression, and economic exploitation. From Prince Abdul Karim’s early revolt to the 1973–77 uprising following the dismissal of the elected provincial government, each rebellion has been met with military repression and betrayal. The ongoing fifth insurgency, reignited by the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006, has become increasingly fragmented and militarized. Armed groups such as the BLA and BRA have expanded their operations, including attacks on CPEC-linked projects—reflecting growing disillusionment with Pakistan’s development narrative. In parallel, civil resistance has gained momentum, led by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and figures like Dr. Mahrang Baloch. The 2023–24 long march to Islamabad—primarily led by women demanding justice for missing persons—highlighted the human cost of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, only to be met with state indifference and crackdowns. Internal complexities also persist, with some tribal elites reportedly complicit in repression. The abduction of Asma Baloch by a tribal chief in February 2025, and her subsequent rescue after public outcry, underscores the dual sources of oppression faced by Baloch society. More than a separatist insurgency, Balochistan’s movement represents a broader demand for justice, identity, and human rights. This article explores the roots of this struggle, the state’s militarized response, and the implications for Pakistan’s internal cohesion and regional dynamics. Balochistan — A Land of Wealth, A Life of Neglect Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan by land area, spans nearly 44% of the country’s total territory. Despite its vast natural endowments—including some of the world’s richest natural gas reserves, mineral deposits, and arable lands—Balochistan remains mired in chronic poverty, economic marginalization, and underdevelopment. The province contributes approximately 80% of Pakistan’s total mineral wealth, yet reaps only a meager 5% share in the national GDP. This stark contrast is the result of a long history of exploitation, state neglect, systemic corruption, and failure of governance. Among its most valuable assets is the Reko Diq mine, one of the largest untapped gold and copper deposits in the world, estimated to contain 5.9 billion tonnes of ore. The Sui Gas Field, discovered in 1952, remains Pakistan’s largest source of natural gas, powering much of the country while local communities continue to live in darkness. In addition, significant thermal energy reserves are found in the districts of Harnai, Quetta, and Duki, underscoring the region’s energy potential. Yet, in a tragic irony, Balochistan continues to embody the paradox of “more is less”—a region rich in resources but impoverished in outcomes. Poverty: A Crisis of Survival and Dignity According to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Balochistan suffers from the highest poverty rate in the country, with a staggering 71.2% of its population living below the poverty line. But poverty in Balochistan is not merely the absence of income—it is the absence of opportunity, infrastructure, and dignity. It manifests as joblessness, food insecurity, and a crushing sense of hopelessness. Children are forced to abandon educational aspirations to help their families survive. Rather than learning in classrooms, many spend their days in child labor or on the streets—victims of a system that offers neither protection nor prospects. Literacy and Health: The Cost of Indifference The neglect of Balochistan by the federal government is painfully evident in the education and healthcare sectors. The literacy rate in the province is an alarming 54.5%, significantly lower than the national average, with female literacy faring even worse. Schools lack teachers, facilities, and even basic safety, leaving a generation without the tools to build a better future. Healthcare, too, is in a state of collapse. The province has only 0.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people, and medical infrastructure is virtually nonexistent in rural districts. Child malnutrition is rampant—according to health surveys, 49.6% of children in Balochistan suffer from food insecurity, resulting in weakened immune systems, stunted growth, and vulnerability to preventable diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and diarrheal infections. Doctors and aid organizations have repeatedly raised alarm, calling the crisis a “silent emergency.” Infrastructure: Disparities Carved into the Landscape Balochistan’s physical infrastructure tells a story of exclusion. While other provinces benefit from modern roads, irrigation systems, and digital connectivity, Balochistan lacks even the most basic amenities. Clean drinking water is a luxury in many areas, with acute shortages worsening each year. The roads, where they exist, are in deplorable condition, making transport and trade both dangerous and inefficient. What adds insult to injury is the unfair profit-sharing model imposed by the federal government on Balochistan’s resource extraction. Of the total revenue generated by mining operations, the province receives a mere 2%, while the federal government claims 48%, and private corporations take the rest. This financial arrangement has fueled anger and disillusionment among the local population, who see their land being stripped for wealth they never see. The Military State: Suppression and Securitization in Balochistan The Pakistani state has long treated Balochistan not as a federating unit with legitimate political aspirations, but as a militarized security zone. Civilian spaces in the province are increasingly securitized, with peaceful protests frequently met with brute force, mass detentions, and charges filed under anti-terrorism laws. Lawyers, journalists, academics, and civil society actors have often been silenced through intimidation or prosecution. Thousands of cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved, while families of the victims routinely face harassment and reprisals for pursuing legal redress or participating in protest movements. Militarization and Paramilitary Presence The scale of military presence in Balochistan is staggering. According to credible reports, over 46,000 paramilitary personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC) are currently deployed across the province. These forces—comprising both uniformed and plainclothes members, including agents from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—have been repeatedly accused of grave human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, illegal detentions, and torture. Checkpoints and Arbitrary Surveillance Extensive and often arbitrary checkpoints—manned by the FC, Levies, police, customs, and coastguard—are found across major highways such as the Quetta–Mastung and Quetta–Chaman routes. These checkpoints not only obstruct mobility and trade but are also notorious for extortion, prolonged delays, and invasive searches, often without any legal justification. Recognizing the growing public resentment, the Balochistan provincial cabinet issued a directive in June 2023, mandating the removal of all unauthorized federal and provincial checkpoints. The directive further stipulated that future checkpoints must receive prior approval from the provincial Home Department. Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Executions