ISLAMABAD: As the security situation in Balochistan continues to deteriorate, experts gathered at a roundtable discussion on the province’s escalating crisis warned that the government’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue with Baloch dissidents is exacerbating the conflict, with one analyst cautioning that the prolonged “deadlock” is driving insurgents towards increasingly extreme forms of violence, underscoring the urgent need for seeking a negotiated settlement to the long-simmering dispute.

The roundtable titled, Balochistan’s Escalating Security Crisis, was hosted by Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) for reviewing the situation and discussing possible options to mitigate the crisis for stability in the province and country.

The situation in restive Balochistan has sharply aggravated due to long-standing neglect, misrule, and repression.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, who formerly headed the Senate’s foreign and defence committees, critiqued the successive governments’ failure to implement key reports that could have empowered Balochistan politically and economically, including the 2005 Report of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan and another one recently commissioned by Islamabad High Court on missing persons’ issue.

Mazari criticises govt’s security-focused approach which has militarised province, alienated its people

Mr Syed also regretted the Shahbaz government’s failure to seize an offer by former Army Chief retired Gen Qamar Bajwa for resolving the issue of missing persons by legislating on arrest of people involved in terrorism and espionage.

To address these challenges, Mr Syed proposed a five-point plan focusing on implementing existing reports, strengthening Pakistan-Iran security ties, empowering Balochistan’s chief minister to find a local solution to terrorism, and using regional frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to protect Balochistan from external threats by deterring players involved in the new great game.

IPI Chairperson Dr Shireen Mazari criticised the government’s security-focused approach, calling it a failure that has militarised the province and alienated its people.

She pointed to enforced disappearances and exclusion from natural resources as major grievances. Mazari argued that foreign investment, particularly in projects like CPEC, will only succeed if local people are included. She warned that the government’s policies are creating resentment and instability in the region.

Abdul Basit, a fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, spoke on the concept of relative deprivation, explaining how education and social media as deepened Baloch students’ perception of exploitation.

He noted that the terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army’s tactics have become sophisticated as exhibited by their ability to strategically disrupt infrastructure and use of media to spread their message.

Basit argued that the conflict has now reached a deadlock, which is a typical outcome in insurgencies. He urged the state to take the initiative in starting negotiations to avoid the conflict spiralling into more extreme forms of violence.

Dr Maria Malik, assistant professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, called for the demilitarisation of Balochistan and respect for the local population’s dignity and unique identity.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.