CSS Current Affairs | Role of the Federal Government in Mitigating the Balochistan Issue
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs is solved by Adnan Adam under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Bird’s eye view on deplorable conditions of Balochistan
- ✔ Case in point: According to the Pakistan Journal of Social Research, the rural areas in Balochistan have 69 per cent social deprivation as compared to that of other provinces, with 45 per cent
3- Role of the federal government in mitigating the Balochistan issue
- ✔ Provision of modern education facilities to enhance human capital in the province
- Case in point: According to the Annual status of Education Report 2023, the school going children in Balochistan have lowest learning capacity as compared to that of other provinces.
- ✔ Inclusion of youth in politics by dismantling the Sardari system
- Case in point: According to the current dynamics, several Sardars hold key positions in the provincial and federal governments.
- ✔ Provision of funds to alleviate economic issues in the province
- Case in point: The true implementation of Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan, the Khushal Balochistan Project, and the 18th Amendment can alleviate the economic issues of Balochistan.
- ✔ Creation of a secure environment by curbing anti-state elements
- Case in point: the arrest of Indian navy officer Kalbushan Yadav from the border area of Balochistan is a glaring example of non-state actors’ involvement in the province.
- ✔ Release of missing persons in courts for the promotion of justice
- Case in point: According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), there is an estimate of around 7000 missing persons from Balochistan. However, according to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, there are only 454 active cases.
4- Critical analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
1- Introduction
The paradox of Balochistan socio-economic deprivation has become a bone of contention in the democratic growth of Pakistan. Historically, the people of Balochistan are deprived of the basic dimensions of life, such as quality education, healthcare services, social justice, and living standards, inculcating a sense of alienation among the masses. Moreover, the forced abductions of Baloch youth have further fuelled the grievances, leading to a revolt by separatist insurgents against the government. However, several positive initiatives, such as the Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan and the Khushal Balochistan project, have been taken by the Federal government, but none of these have elicited optimistic outcomes. Therefore, it is high time that the central government should take a more inclusive approach with less military intervention and robust education reforms to address the exploitation of Balochis and to grant them their due rights.
2- Bird’s eye view on Balochistan’s deplorable conditions
Since the inception of Pakistan, the people of Balochistan have been grappling with deplorable economic and social conditions. Owing to these circumstances, the overall development of the province has become stagnant both economically and socially, leaving it behind other provinces. According to the Pakistan Journal of Social Research, the rural areas in Balochistan have 69 per cent social deprivation compared to other provinces, which have 45 per cent. As a result, there is an increase in extremist and separatist activities in the region, which bolsters foreign involvement, especially RAW, to provoke separatist sentiments among the masses. Moreover, the federal government has taken some aggressive measures by engaging more military personnel in the province, promoting a sense of mistrust between the state and the people.
3- Role of the federal government in mitigating the Balochistan issue
- ✔ Provision of modern education facilities to enhance human capital in the province
The education sector of Balochistan is underprivileged, with a lack of basic infrastructure and untrained teaching staff, resulting in a low literacy rate and high school dropouts. According to the Annual Status of Education Report 2023, the school-going children in Balochistan have the lowest learning capacity compared to other provinces. In this regard, the federal government should collaborate with the respective provincial government to ensure the allocation of a sound budget in the education sector for the making of compatible infrastructure. Moreover, a more progressive and inclusive education policy should be implemented by the Centre to address the loopholes in the education institutions and secure a better future for the youth. Similarly, vocational training institutions should be established to make the population self-sufficient.
- ✔ Inclusion of youth in politics by dismantling the Sardari system
Since the emergence of Pakistan, the Sardari system has been imposed in the province, leading to social injustice and adverse human crises. As a result, this Sardari-driven political landscape compels the youth away from political institutions, resulting in the formation of a conservative society with no value for dissent. According to the current dynamics, several Sardars hold key positions in the provincial and federal governments. In order to ensure a true notion of political representation, the federal government should take strict actions against these culprits and hold them accountable. Moreover, the government should provide breathing ground to youth for involvement in political activities, reducing the concentration of power in a few. Similarly, adequate participation of all federating units in the legislative body is a prerequisite for creating a sense of nationhood among the masses.
- ✔ Provision of funds to alleviate economic issues in the province
The economic deprivation of Balochistan has created a sense of discontentment among the people, leading to the absence of trust in the federal government. Although successive governments have introduced several developmental projects for Balochistan, such as the Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan and the Khushal Balochistan Projects, lack of political will and red-tapism hamper the implementation of these initiatives. Thus, the federal government should ensure timely Provision of funds for the revival of these economic projects. Moreover, the government should ensure the implementation of the 18th Amendment to secure the due resources for Balochistan.
- ✔ Creation of a secure environment by curbing anti-state elements
Owing to its strategic position, Balochistan has become a battleground for extremist groups, sectarian groups, and foreign intervention, inculcating anti-state elements among the masses. Accordingly, the arrest of Indian navy officer Kalbushan Yadav from the border area of Balochistan is a glaring example of non-state actors’ involvement in the province. To create a secure environment, the federal government should strengthen the levies system, providing it with ample resources and equipment to maintain the law and order situation in the province. Moreover, the government should set clear jurisdiction goals for law enforcement agencies to avoid confusion in their mandated roles. Similarly, the Centre should ensure the rights of the citizens by addressing their grievances through conciliation and negotiations.
- ✔ Release of missing persons in courts for the promotion of justice
In the last few decades, the people of Balochistan have faced extra-judicial killings and forced abductions, inducing a sense of being treated unjustly among the citizens. According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), there is an estimated number of around 7,000 missing persons from Balochistan. However, according to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, there are only 454 active cases. To culminate the menace of injustice, the federal government should take pragmatic measures to produce these missing persons in courts for free trial. Moreover, the government should exercise its power to hold the major stakeholders accountable to gain the confidence of families of missing persons. Therefore, the federal government should keep a close watch on its law enforcement agencies so that justice can prevail in Balochistan.
4- Critical analysis
Critically, the deplorable condition of Balochistan demands the keen watchful eye of the federal government. As Balochistan is a land of natural resources, every key player in the region, including separatist groups, wants to exploit its resources. Ironically, lack of political will, bureaucratic red-tapism, and excess military intervention have created a sense of disconnection between Balochistan and other provinces. As a result, the current youth population is engraved with hatred against the state due to being marginalized.
5- Conclusion
In conclusion, owing to its strategic location and a land of natural resources, the alleviation of socio-economic deprivation in Balochistan holds immense significance for Pakistan in protecting its terrestrial sovereignty against non-state actors. Likewise, the Provision of basic social needs with economic upliftment has become an essential driver in addressing the resentment among the people of the province. Moreover, the plight of Balochistan, if not taken seriously, would impose gloomy repercussions for Pakistan. Therefore, the federal government should take some realistic measures to protect Balochistan and its population from exploitation, exterminating anti-state elements and ensuring basic human rights to its citizens.
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