SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s precarious law and order situation — with very little success. On Tuesday, President Asif Zardari, during a visit to Quetta, made a fresh attempt to tackle the issues of this tortured land. The president, while presiding over a meeting with top federal and provincial officials, reiterated the need for ‘dialogue’ between all political forces in Balochistan, while also calling for efforts to address its socioeconomic and law and order issues. A similar attempt was made by Mr Zardari and his party the last time he was in the presidency through the 2009 Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan package which was, at least on paper, a thorough plan designed to deal with many of the issues that have contributed to alienation in Balochistan. But today, nearly 15 years after the package was announced, separatist violence continues in Balochistan, as the underlying discontent has not been addressed. Other elected governments thereafter also announced various packages and schemes for the province, yet Balochistan’s problems remain unresolved.

Unless the key factors that fuel violence and alienation in Balochistan are addressed, this vicious trend will continue. The president is right to suggest dialogue as a way out of the quagmire. But this dialogue must be meaningful, and powerful quarters within the state apparatus need to be on board for it to succeed. On the political front, instead of patronising ‘influentials’ and those seen to be loyal to the official narrative, popular leaders should be given the space and freedom to operate. The detestable practice of enforced disappearances must be ended permanently, and those suspected of breaking the law produced in court so that their fundamental rights are protected. Where socioeconomic issues are concerned, locals have the first right to the province’s resources, as well as to jobs and training. Moreover, the province’s dismal health and education indicators need to be vastly improved. This would require the state’s attention and investment in the social sector. Unfortunately, for decades, the centre has applied colonial methods to ‘tame’ Balochistan. These have included carrots — such as ‘packages’ for the province and support for sardars and feudals loyal to the powers that be — as well as sticks — such as frequent security operations. To permanently end the insurgency and bring peace to Balochistan, a democratic approach is required.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2024