ETHNO-POLITICAL CONFLICT IN BALOCHISTAN; THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan with richness in resources has now become a hub of ethno-political conflict. Province is surrounded by conflicting historical background in which two parties the state and Baloch Nationalists are fighting. Baloch Nationalists are of view that their resources are being exploited by state without giving them any proper share. People living in Balochistan suffer a lot because of series of insurgencies. Province faces five major insurgencies with a series of multiple root causes. There are three major group of people living in Balochistan Baloch, Baruhi and Pashtoon. The people of Balochistan province are demanding more political autonomy in provincial affairs while only a minority group is fighting for independence. They are living a life of deprivation far from basic facilities. Balochistan have reservoirs of Gold, Copper and other valuable minerals but unfortunately, they didn’t get a proper share from it.
The majority of residents of province didn’t get clean water, education and health facilities which are giving rise to their grievances. The unaddressed
Baloch grievances are the root cause of conflict in current scenario. From a historical perspective different government try to address the issue with
packages like Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, 7th NFC award and 18th amendment but the corruption and mismanagement of this sensitive affairs and communication gap among both sides remains the issue at same stage. There are many actors, internal and external involved in conflict with their own
objectives. They are using deprived local people to attain their objectives. Conflict in Balochistan have a long history but it can be resolved by addressing the grievances of deprived people of Province and giving them their proper share in provincial affairs