GIVEN all its socio- economic and political dimensions and interconnected conflicts, it is no surprise that Balochistan continues to baffle and frustrate. The targeting of Hindus is one part of the puzzle that has attracted attention from time to time. The latest development in this context is the kidnapping of an octogenarian Hindu priest and the decision by some 27 Pakistani Hindu families to settle in India. A grave sense of insecurity grips the estimated 200,000 Hindus in Balochistan, a province whose tribal system once guaranteed life and freedom to its minorities. It is no surprise then that while a PML-N leader requests Nawab Aslam Raisani, the Sarawan chief, for help, he criticises the government of Aslam Raisani, the chief minister of Balochistan. Of the two hats that Mr Raisani wears, PML-N's Santosh Kumar Bugti obviously has greater faith in the old tribal sardar than the new democratic head.

This longing for the past may be sad, but it is reflective of the challenge to the incumbent government. It is tragic that, for one reason or another, our political leadership has failed to earnestly address Balochistan's woes in all their dimensions. No doubt, one welcomes the fact that a major political party like the PML-N has raised the issue of the Hindus of Balochistan at public forums, such as the press conference Mr Santosh Bugti addressed in Quetta on Wednesday, besides taking up the issue in parliament. This is a good initiative which needs to be built upon, and other parties must be roped in. Yet, ultimately, the fate of the Hindus in Balochistan is tied to the fate of the crisis-ridden province as a whole. So long as the government's writ is lacking, it would be easy to find targets for killing and kidnapping, leaving the victims with a strong urge to walk out.