Yousaf Khan
ISLAMABAD: According to the 2023 national census, Pakistan’s population stands at approximately 242 million. Punjab, the most populous province, has around 127.68 million residents, followed by Sindh with 55.69 million, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with about 40.856 million. Balochistan, the largest province in terms of area, has the smallest population, approximately 12 million. The province is known for its diverse ethnic groups and important natural resources.
This small population is spread throughout Balochistan. Due to its vast expanse and small population, Balochistan faces challenges in administrative affairs. These challenges are a natural phenomenon. Balochistan is home to a variety of ethnic groups. A major part of these groups consists of Pashtuns, followed by the Brahvi community, Hazaras, and settlers from other regions of the country. The Baloch population, which is a key and influential part of the province’s overall population, contributes to its multicultural and diverse social fabric.
Apart from Balochistan, many Baloch people live in other provinces and major cities of Pakistan. Prominent Baloch tribes are present in Punjab and Sindh, and a considerable number have settled in Karachi, the country’s largest city and economic hub, where they play a vital role in the workforce. Migration driven by the pursuit of better employment opportunities, education, and living conditions has introduced Baloch culture to new regions, leading to a blend of local cultures that enhances national unity and integrates Baloch heritage into the broader Pakistani identity.
In addition to Pakistan, a sizable Baloch population resides in Iran, where they are recognized as a minority group. Despite their distinct historical and cultural identity, the idea of their separation from Iran remains unrealistic due to the country’s internal geopolitical, social, and economic dynamics. Associating Baloch tribes in Iran with separatist movements in Pakistan is a misleading and nothing but anti-state narrative. The notion of a separated Balochistan is essentially a myth, perpetuated by those who overlook the complex geopolitical and social realities that make such a separation impractical. Therefore, the propaganda advocating for a separate Balochistan is superficial and selfish.
Balochistan has vast potential which can be exploited for regional and national development. This potential is evident through various factors that highlight the readiness of the people of Balochistan for economic and social advancement.
Firstly, Balochistan’s strategic location makes it a crucial gateway connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This advantageous position offers several important trade routes that can boost economic activities and trade not only within the province but also with neighboring regions.
Secondly, Balochistan is abundant in mineral resources, presenting extraordinary opportunities for economic growth. The province is rich in minerals such as copper, gold, coal, and various industrial minerals. The extraction and processing of these resources could significantly enhance the local economy, create employment opportunities, and attract foreign investment.
Additionally, some areas in Balochistan have fertile land suitable for agriculture. By promoting agricultural development through modern farming techniques and irrigation projects, the province can address food security issues, increase local farmers’ incomes, and contribute to overall economic stability in the province.
Furthermore, Balochistan’s coastline offers opportunities for maritime trade, including fishing and shipping. Developing ports and related facilities could transform the province into a major commercial hub, enhancing international shipping and trade. This connectivity can lead to increased economic activity and job creation.
Apart from all these factors, the hardworking people of Balochistan are an invaluable asset for the province’s development. The resilience of the Baloch people is historically well-established. By investing in various sectors, the capacity of the workforce can be further developed, and agricultural efficiency can be improved, leading to greater productivity across these sectors.
Anti-Pakistani forces are well aware of the critical role Balochistan plays in Pakistan’s overall development and are making concerted efforts to thwart this progress. The province’s substantial mineral reserves, strategic location, and skilled workforce pose a major threat to Pakistan’s hostile elements, which form a key part of the international anti-Pakistan agenda. These forces view the empowerment and development of Balochistan as conflicting with their interests, leading them to support anti-state activities aimed at destabilizing the region.
Terrorist organizations operating in Balochistan have been assigned the malicious task of implementing anti-Pakistan strategies through violent means. Their objective is to disrupt the essential infrastructure required for development. These terrorist activities serve multiple purposes: they obstruct administrative and development processes, and they erode local trust in institutions, causing confusion and frustration among the populace and their confidence in the institutions starts declining. This disillusionment often leads people to join these extremist groups, thereby increasing their numbers.
Groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Republican Army (BRA), and various other Baloch sub-nationalist factions are used for these anti-state activities. These terrorist groups carry out activities such as intimidation or direct attacks on workers engaged in these development projects, attacks on construction camps, and destruction or sabotage of machinery and equipment used for development purposes. These actions are portrayed by these terrorist groups as a reaction to the alleged deprivation and exploitation of Balochistan.
By undermining development efforts, these terrorist elements seek to highlight their cause and push for demands related to greater autonomy or secession. Their tactics not only damage essential infrastructure and hinder economic development but also contribute to an atmosphere of instability and insecurity. Such activities lead to the destruction of essential infrastructure and economic development in the region. This, in turn, disrupts the cooperative and constructive environment necessary for progress, exacerbating the socio-economic challenges faced by local communities.
Situations where security risks significantly increase not only complicate the implementation of development projects but also have profound negative effects on various stakeholders involved. As risks escalate, project costs can surge to three or four times the original estimates. This cost escalation places additional strain on project budgets and complicates financial planning and resource management.
Moreover, heightened security concerns act as a deterrent for foreign investors and international partners who might otherwise be interested in business ventures in the affected area. Consequently, this reluctance from both local and foreign investors typically leads to a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI).
A narrative has been crafted around the concept of deprivation and exploitation of Balochistan to justify these acts of terrorism. This narrative, however, is fundamentally flawed and lacks widespread support. It fails to provide real solutions to the underlying issues and is disconnected from the actual conditions on the ground. As such, the narrative centered on deprivation is misleading and does not effectively address the problems faced by the region.
Balochistan’s political landscape is diverse, with several national political parties playing significant roles, including the Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. Each of these parties has established its presence and influence within the province. Balochistan has always been a part of the national political process, and efforts are ongoing to enhance its participation in the country’s political sphere.
These political parties have not only engaged in provincial governance by forming alliances with various national parties, but Balochistan’s political figures have also held notable positions at the national level. For instance, Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali served as Prime Minister, Sadiq Sanjrani held the position of Chairman of the Senate, and Qasim Khan Suri served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Additionally, it is noteworthy that Balochistan has also been represented in the highest ranks of the Pakistan Army, with two of the 17 Army Commanders hailing from the province: General Muhammad Musa Khan and General Abdul Waheed Kakar, both of whom have served as Army Chiefs.
Balochistan stands as a province of immense potential, characterized by its strategic location, rich mineral resources, and vibrant workforce. However, the path to unlocking this potential is fraught with challenges, including the disruptive influence of extremist groups. Despite these challenges, Balochistan’s active participation in national politics and its representation at high levels of governance underscore its integral role in Pakistan’s development.
