WHILE immediate threats to law and order must be confronted by security forces, the long-term solution to Balochistan’s militancy problem — primarily that of Baloch separatism — can only be reached through dialogue and political accommodation. This is especially true when it comes to the matter of the province’s resources, as socioeconomic deprivation is often presented as one of the main drivers of the Baloch insurgency. Echoing this position, a multiparty conference organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami in Quetta has said that Balochistan’s people have primary rights over their natural resources. The moot was attended by numerous mainstream, religious and nationalist parties, though the PML-N and PPP skipped the event despite being invited. The MPC was also critical of poor law and order in the province and enforced disappearances. As one participant noted, Balochistan’s political issues were tied to its resources.

The effort should be welcomed as the militarised approach alone to tackling the Baloch insurgency has failed to show tangible results. Sadly, not enough efforts have been made by Pakistan’s mainstream political parties to address Balochistan’s grievances. To most political players, the province is a remote place where violence is part of life; they would much rather focus on capturing the thrones of Islamabad and Lahore, and leave Balochistan’s ‘management’ to other powerful stakeholders. Such an approach is dangerous for the health of the federation. The PML-N and PPP — the two major components of the ruling coalition — should have sent representatives to the MPC to show that Balochistan matters to them, too. The MPC formed a committee with representation from all parties in attendance to finalise a plan of action. In fact, there should be a national-level effort by all political forces to address Balochistan’s situation. Foremost must be the demand to ensure the fruits of development reach the people of the deprived province, while guaranteeing that Balochistan’s citizens receive all constitutional protections. This can be the start of the healing process and counter the insurgency more effectively. Lollipops from the state are not enough to soothe Balochistan’s anger; the people will need solid guarantees that the rich resources of their land are spent on their welfare. The vortex of violence has consumed far too many innocent lives. It is time the political process, prioritising socioeconomic justice, is pursued vigorously in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024