CSS Current Affairs | Steps to Curb the Activities of Non-State Actors in Balochistan
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Outline
1-Introduction
2-A bird’s eye view of the non-state actors in Balochistan
3-Measures through which the activities of the non-state actors in Balochistan can be curbed effectively
- ✓Invest in the development of the Province
- ✓Ensure inclusivity of locals in t mega projects
- ✓Engage in efforts for reconciliation
- ✓Improve governance
- ✓Cooperate with countries supporting the non-state actors in Balochistan
4-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
1-Introduction
Balochistan is the largest Province of Pakistan in terms of territory, making up about 44 per cent of the total area. In contrast to the vast area, only 6 per cent of the country’s total population inhabits the Province. Despite being blessed with the wealth of abundant natural resources and minerals, the region still grapples with extreme unrest, attributed to the ventures of multiple violent non-state actors (VNSAs) active in the region. Unfortunately, the country’s government has not been very successful in putting an end to the exercises of these entities in the Province. This is mainly because the state, instead of viewing the root causes of the issue through a political lens, has dealt with the escalation militarily. To begin with, these non-state actors are driven by the motive to halt what they view as the exploitation of Balochistan by the Islamic Republic to meet its strategic ends. However, there is much at the end of the state that can be done to curb the activities of the non-state actors, including investing in development, ensuring inclusivity of the Baloch citizens in mega projects, engaging the reconciliation efforts, and improving governance. Through such measures, the country can address the grievances of the local masses and reduce the sense of alienation among them. Other than this, Pakistan can also engage India, Afghanistan, and Iran in diplomatic cooperation to halt their role in backing up the operations of the VNSAs in Balochistan.
2-A bird’s eye view of the non-state actors in Balochistan
The origin of the activities of the non-state actors in Balochistan dates back almost as far as the inception of Pakistan. The very first escalation took place in 1948 when the Khan of Kalat became a signatory to the instrument of accession. The uprising was led by the younger brother of the Khan, Shahzada Karim Khan, as a protest against the accession. He, along with his rebels, fled to Afghanistan and operated against the state from there, with the objective of an independent state of Kalat. Since then, Islamabad has witnessed multiple successive uprisings, with each lasting longer than the previous one: 1958-1959, 1963-1967, and 1972-1977. Furthermore, the situation became grave during the regime of General Pervez Musharraf because of his intolerant policies regarding the non-state actors in Balochistan, especially after the 2006 assassination of a Baloch nationalist leader, Nawabzada Akbar Khan Bugti, during a military operation. In the current era, the nature of the activities of the said actors have evolved in accordance with the occurring developments; they are focused on targeting the security personnel, interests of China, and individuals in favour of the federation. A security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates that in the quarter half of 2024, Pakistan witnessed about 245 counter-terrorism and terror attack occurrences, about 92 per cent of which were centred in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Moreover, in the Province, there are a number of violent non-state actors (VNSAs) carrying out their activities: the Baloch nationalist tribal leaders- particularly of the Marri and the Bugti tribes; separatist groups, such as Baloch Republican Army (BRA), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), Lashkar-e-Balochistan, etc.; and militant, sectarian, and transnational groups, including Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Difa-e-Balochistan, Islamic State of Khorasan (ISK), Jaish al Adl, Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), and others. Additionally, the roles of these actors have been complicated because, in recent years, multiple of these organisations have started operating in alliances; for instance, BRAS is a consolidation of the Baloch Republican Guard, Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, BRA, and BLA. According to the Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Strategic Studies’ research, the liberation movement in Pakistan is comprised of collaboration between the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), TTP, BLA, BLF, and ISK. The research suggests that most of the hostilities carried out are a result of affiliated ventures within these factions and with the tribal leaders, driven by a common goal of rebelling against the exploitation of the Province at the hands of the state.
3-Measures through which the activities of the non-state actors in Balochistan can be curbed effectively
The exercises of the VNSAs in Balochistan run deeper than the historical concerns. They are a manifestation of various multifaceted intertwined factors that have persisted over time. The efforts required to limit these violent activities go beyond the use of force, rather a well-thought and all-inclusive approach is required on the part of the administration to tackle the issue at hand effectively.
- ✓Invest in the development of the Province
Balochistan is blessed with rich natural resources and minerals, contributing about 4 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Islamabad and meeting 40 per cent of the country’s energy demand by supplying coal, natural gas, and electricity, as indicated by the Global Energy Monitor. Despite such potential, it remains the least developed Province of the country, with 70 per cent of its population not having access to gas and 78 per cent being deprived of electricity. According to the 2020-2021 Economic Survey of Pakistan, among the four provinces, Balochistan has the lowest Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), which is an indicator of net value invested in the development of tangible assets, including infrastructure and technology. Besides, the citizens only get 17 per cent of their natural resources; with such deprivation, the insecurity and frustration among the people of the Province are not unjustifiable. The Human Need Theories by Abraham Maslow imply that all human beings have some needs, which, when unfulfilled, lead to conflict and unrest. Hence, it is pertinent for the federal government to consider these disparities, allocate the rightful capital for the development of Balochistan, and guarantee the implementation of the Constitution’s Article 172(3) and Article 158. Adding to this, the provision of the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) altered in 2009, increasing the share of Balochistan to 9.09 per cent, accounting for its poverty and underdevelopment. However, given the size of the Province and the extent of disparities, this allotment is still meagre; the share of the region should be increased, and the region should be fairly invested in developmental projects.
- ✓Ensure inclusivity of locals in mega projects
The activities of the VNAs are largely motivated by the sense of alienation attributed to exclusion from major infrastructural projects based in Balochistan, including the Saidak Copper-Gold Mine and the Gwadar Sea Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), among others. These mega projects are perceived as instruments of colonialism since they fulfil the country’s strategic objectives while the locals are deprived of being the primary beneficiaries in terms of utility and profit. For instance, the Chinese-operated Saindak Project offers the Province a dismal 2 per cent of the overall profit while the federal government receives 18 per cent. Adding to this, the central government continues to make decisions and expand projects without the consent of the citizens of Balochistan. For a profit of 2 per cent to the region out of the total 50 per cent share of the Islamic Republic, the Chinese got the lease of the Gwadar Port for a period of 40 years with an exemption from paying any local or provincial tax. Other than this, the residents feel extremely threatened by the settlement of the Chinese locals on their lands. According to a report from the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), “By 2048, there will be more Chinese nationals living in Balochistan than the native inhabitants due to the present rate of immigration.” All these factors have led to the increased activities of non-state actors targeting the Chinese and the projects. Thus, there is a dire need for the state to pay heed to the concerns of the Baloch and work on addressing their fears of being further marginalised. The government must take a transparent and all-inclusive approach and provide Balochistan with its due share in the profits, ownership, and decision-making process regarding the projects. Moreover, the projects must be reoriented in a manner that brings more prospects for the prosperity of the region rather than sowing seeds of resentment, which ultimately results in violent acts.
- ✓Engage in efforts for reconciliation
Even though efforts have been made in the past to reconcile with the non-state actors, they did not bear any fruitful results because they were accompanied by repression. Besides, the individuals in charge of carrying out the negotiations lacked the authority and credibility to make substantial concessions. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, in its 2023 fact-finding report, stated, “There has been an increase in forced disappearances, particularly in Gwadar and Turbat, which has raised tension and sparked unrest among the Baloch people.” The report is an indication that the government has opted to tackle the issue of the non-state actors in Balochistan militarily rather than politically, which has further aggravated the situation. For this reason, a comprehensive framework must be formulated to engage the VNSAs. The reconciliation must include cooperation between the armed forces, the government of Pakistan, and, most significantly, the local leaders of the Province. The legitimate and politically marginalized leaders of Balochistan must be involved in leading the dialogue and putting Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) into action, such as ceasing military operations, eradicating check posts from certain regions, recovering the Baloch missing persons, and providing compensation to the families of those who lost their lives extrajudicially. Hence, instead of ideal promises for peace through coercion, pragmatic measures to pacify the non-state actors can curb their activities more effectively.
- ✓Improve governance
Poor governance is one of the primary causes of animosity among the citizens of Balochistan. Prior to that, the region used to be rural and controlled largely by tribal leaders, who could be subdued using appeasing tactics. In contrast, the expectations of the people in people in the current era have changed with urbanisation and the comparative rise in education. If these expectations are not met, they can cause despair, which in turn fosters sub-nationalism. Nonetheless, the state and the corrupt local elite have entered a pact, with the latter taking all of the political and economic capital for themselves and leaving little for the general populace, which has led to bad governance. Balochistan, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has the lowest Human Development Index (HDI), 0.436, out of all the provinces, which is indicative of poor governance. The exploitation of the funds, the lack of rule of law, and the low literacy and high unemployment rates have laid the foundation for the proliferation of the operations of the non-state actors. Undoubtedly, the improvement of governance in the region is a pre-requisite to weaken the muscle of the factions involved in activities harming the writ of the state. Pakistan’s government should address the grievances of the people and incorporate transparent accountability and implementation mechanisms in the political structure of the Province. In addition, strong anti-corruption laws must be set in place to improve the state of governance since it can lead to stability in Balochistan.
- ✓Cooperate with countries supporting the non-state actors in Balochistan
The neighbours of Pakistan have played a significant role in exacerbating the situation of the challenges posed by the violent non-state actors in the largest Province of the country. This has resulted in tension between the countries. For instance, the VNSAs have established safe havens in Afghanistan and Iran from where they launch cross-border assaults. Additionally, after the US withdrawal from Kabul, multiple of these actors have access to weapons previously owned by the Afghan National Army. Besides, the exiled leaders of Balochistan have frequently appealed to India for assistance, and the country has shown support for the culprits by advocating for them on international fora to counter Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir. Furthermore, Islamabad has accused New Delhi of supporting the non-state actors in the Province. But, the accusations have proven to be true after instances like the 2016 arrest of Kalbushan Jadhav in Balochistan on the grounds that he was a RAW spy assisting non-state actors in the region. These factors indicate thatthe support from neighbouring countries of Pakistan makes it harder for the state to put an end to the operations of the non-state actors. Hence, the country should try to solve this issue through diplomatic cooperation. There are a number of prospects for Pakistan to decrease the activities of the VNSAs if it collaborates with Iran, Afghanistan, and India. As far as the former two are concerned, the country has more options; for example, these states can cooperate in terms of managing the porous borders and exchanging relevant intelligence information. Although, in the case of India, cooperation seems like a task hard to achieve, the will of the leaders can make this realisation possible. In addition, the countries share membership in several significant regional organisations, which can serve as platforms for carrying out meaningful dialogue regarding the subject.
4-Conclusion
In summary, since 1948, Balochistan has been the subject of the actions of various non-state entities. The nature of these actors varies, ranging from radical nationalist leaders of tribes to big and small organisations. Adding to this, most of the VNSAs have separatist ambitions and operate with the rhetoric of liberating the Province from the state’s exploitation. Furthermore, over the years, the operations of the said actors have taken the form of joint ventures resulting from the alliance of the various factions. However, a closer look reveals that the Province’s years of oppression and neglect have paved the way for the proliferation of the activities of the non-state actors. There are, nevertheless, a number of approaches the nation might take to effectively reduce the operations of these actors in the region, largely aimed at attending to the grievances of the citizens. For instance, focusing on a sufficient capital allotment for the development of the largest Province, ensuring that the locals receive their due share in natural resources and the major projects, attempting to mend relations with the VNSAs, improving governance, and collaborating with the neighbouring countries aiding these entities. In short, the Islamic Republic has a better chance of limiting the actions of violent non-state actors through comprehensive, pragmatic political measures rather than idealistic promises of a peaceful future and coercive subjugation of the populace of Balochistan.
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