AND the endless cycle of violence continues. The brutal killing on Tuesday night of seven Punjab-bound passengers in Barkhan district marks yet another tragic episode in Balochistan’s troubled history. That armed men could stop multiple vehicles on a major highway, methodically check identity cards, and kill innocent travellers speaks volumes about the state of security in Pakistan’s largest province. More troubling still is the fact that this has become a disturbing pattern that has claimed dozens of lives in recent months. Last August, 23 travellers were pulled from vehicles and shot in Musakhail. In May, seven barbers from Punjab were killed near Gwadar. April saw separate attacks in Noshki and Kech. Each incident follows the same horrifying script — armed men targeting civilians based on their provincial identity. While the prime minister and Balochistan chief minister have issued strong statements after the attack, the fundamental question remains: why does this cycle of violence continue unabated?

Much of the answer lies in the decades of neglect that has left Balochistan’s people disillusioned and marginalised. Despite being a resource-rich province, it has seen very little of the development that has over the years transformed other parts of the country. Basic infrastructure remains poor, educational opportunities are limited, and economic prospects for young Baloch are dim. This deep-seated deprivation has created fertile ground for extremist elements to exploit. And still, the political response to the situation has been tepid at best. Political parties are quick to condemn violence in statements, but show little genuine commitment to addressing Balochistan’s basic grievances. The province appears to matter only during election season, when grand promises are made and promptly forgotten. What steps has the ruling PPP and PML-N coalition in Balochistan taken for any lasting solution? And what have the Baloch nationalist parties done? Pakistan’s political leadership must demonstrate through actions, not words, that they have not forsaken Balochistan. The province needs not just enhanced security measures — though these are crucial — but a complete rethinking of how the federation engages with the province. This means genuine political dialogue, substantial investment in human development, and sincere efforts to bring Baloch youth into the national mainstream. Without addressing these core issues, we risk watching this tragic cycle repeat itself, with more innocent lives lost to senseless violence.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025