The ongoing unrest in Balochistan is emblematic of a broader crisis that has been simmering under the surface for decades, requiring a holistic solution beyond the reactive measures adopted by successive governments.
The Jaffar Express hijacking, and the more recent arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Council leaders over their confiscation of the militants’ bodies from a morgue, are not isolated incidents or extremist provocations. Rather, they are the manifestation of a complex interplay of local grievances, mismanagement, and external meddling that shows no signs of abating.
A key driver behind the current wave of protests is the persistent issue of missing persons. Families of “vanished” individuals have endured years of anguish, eroding trust in state institutions and fanning the flames of dissent. Calls for accountability and justice are ignored or maligned, further entrenching the discontent.
Compounding these concerns is the deep-seated disagreement over the ownership and exploitation of Balochistan’s resources. The region has substantial mineral and energy reserves whose extraction has provided little benefit to local communities. Instead, they often bear the environmental and social costs of extraction while profits are siphoned away to distant capitals and external stakeholders. This fosters a sense of alienation and injustice, fueling calls for a more equitable sharing of resources. This disenfranchisement is most visible in a chronic lack of development, a byproduct of systemic neglect and misgovernance.
Poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and stagnant economic opportunities have left communities feeling abandoned by the state. The absence of meaningful investment has transformed legitimate aspirations into a breeding ground for radical dissent.
There is no denying the role of foreign actors in the conflict, but it is crucial to recognize that insurgencies cannot sprout up without local support. External involvement serves to amplify the situation, but its roots lie in the unresolved issues of state neglect and injustice. Cutting off the supply line of militants demands a clear-eyed recognition of these underlying grievances.
A sustainable resolution to the conflict requires a balanced, holistic approach—a carrot and stick policy. The state must respond forcefully to militants while simultaneously supporting measures that empower moderate voices and ensure free and fair elections. Only by addressing the dual imperatives of security and socioeconomic development can Balochistan hope to overcome decades of disenfranchisement and build a just future for the province, specifically, and Pakistan as a whole.