All in not ok in Balochistan.
The Jaffar Express hijacking is a stark reminder of a total loss of the state’s writ in the province, reflecting decades of unrest, marginalization, and violent insurgencies. Rather than improving, the situation has only worsened in recent years, with groups such as the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) throwing the region—and the country at large—into an even deeper state of turmoil.
While it is easy to pin the blame of the current insurgency on the current government and security apparatus, this ignores the province’s chronic neglect. Successive administrations have promised development that rarely materializes, fueling discontent among the local populace. This is not to suggest the BLA has any legitimate standing.
While claiming to champion development and rights for the region, the militant group routinely attacks critical infrastructure projects and brutally targets civilians, including the very Baloch it purports to defend. In doing so, the BLA’s ultimate aim is to sow deep-seated divisions and mistrust within society. They are further emboldened by terror sympathizers, including foreign elements, who utilize social media and local propaganda to spread narratives of victimhood and resistance, undermining attempts to mount a united national front against extremism.
The state’s response, meanwhile, relies on heavy-handed and repressive measures that do little to address the root causes of the crisis. From “missing persons” to clampdowns on rights activists, its actions often exacerbate alienation, driving more individuals towards extremist ideologies. There is no denying the need for a firm response to counter imminent threats, but we cannot expect the cycle of violence, mistrust, and retaliatory measures to enable any attempt at achieving stability.
What the state must realize is that the old ways are proving insufficient to achieve its goals and a new, multi-pronged strategy is necessary to restore peace. The prevailing unrest necessitates a full-scale kinetic operation that decisively—and specifically—targets extremist elements to restore law and order. However, this can only be a first step; political stakeholders must open a sincere dialogue with peace-oriented representatives from Baloch civil society, moderate political factions, and community leaders, fostering an environment for reconciliation. Finally, the region must be prioritized for development—particularly infrastructure, education, and job generation—to address the underlying grievances that continue to fuel the conflict.
A balanced approach that couples necessary force with genuine engagement and development can steer Balochistan toward peace and stability. If the province is not cleared of the shadow of violence, the unrest that currently engulfs it is unlikely to remain restricted to its borders.