EDITORIAL: As Balochistan continues to grapple with wave after wave of terrorism and violence, the state has gone back to the same playbook of opting for yet another military operation in the province, with the apex committee of the National Action Plan announcing a comprehensive anti-terror initiative against several proscribed terrorist organisations on November 19.
With the latest atrocity at the Quetta railway station resulting in the loss of 26 lives earlier in the month, and with Chinese nationals, those hailing from Punjab and working in the province, and the people of Balochistan themselves enduring frequent tragedies, the pressure to take decisive action appears to have reached a critical point.
However, it is difficult to ignore that an anti-terror strategy heavily reliant on a military component, yet failing to adequately address the underlying grievances of the affected population, is one that historically has not been able to address the root causes of the unrest or provide a sustainable path towards peace and development.
While there appears to be some realisation among policymakers that the situation in Balochistan has evolved over the years to take on much complexity, with separatist forces, religious extremists, criminal elements and foreign actors coming together to fuel instability, one wonders if there is also a corresponding realisation that the state’s response to these interconnected challenges will remain an inadequate one if it isn’t based on a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that balances security measures with political dialogue and socioeconomic development.
As has been pointed out in this space before, it is all too easy to blame violent separatist movements and foreign entities for the state of the province, and while there is undeniable truth to these claims, the fact remains that there has not really been a thorough acknowledgement of the underlying conditions — such as systemic neglect, socioeconomic deprivation, and lack of a political voice for the people of Balochistan — that has made it easy for these elements to foster and sustain unrest.
As the army chief has very rightly pointed out, the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies are paying a heavy price for this huge deficit in basic governance, as they are repeatedly called upon to offer the greatest sacrifice in the form of their lives. Meanwhile, the fundamental challenges of political marginalisation, institutional failure and mismanagement remain unaddressed.
Something as basic as ensuring that the benefit of any development initiative or economic project in the province reaches the local population through job creation, infrastructure development, enhanced public services, improved health and education facilities and better living conditions has often been missing, deepening the sense of alienation and discontent among the populace. Then there is the long-festering issue of missing persons, which has created much bitterness and angst, further eroding trust between the local population and the state, and complicating any efforts towards peace and reconciliation.
There is absolutely no denying the fact that clamping down on terror outfits in the province has become imperative both for ensuring peace and security, and also for protecting the country’s economic health and investment environment, and viewed from that standpoint, moving against the likes of the Majeed Brigade and the BLF has become crucial.
However, the powers that be must also realise that unless Balochistan’s political, economic and social issues are also addressed in a comprehensive manner, any approach that is solely military or security-focused will only provide a temporary solution, leaving the root causes of unrest unresolved and perpetuating the cycle of violence that has led to much bloodshed of innocents over the last two decades. A more balanced approach that encompasses dialogue and development has become the need of the hour.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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