What Fuels Separatist Insurgency in Pakistan's Balochistan?
09:47 21.03.2025 (Updated: 13:31 21.03.2025)
© Photo : Karlos Zurutuza/IPS News Agency
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Pakistan's largest province by size, covering approximately 44% of the country's land, has been simmering with a secessionist movement for decades, which has gained global attention in recent months.
Local resentment against the Pakistani government, combined with the exploitation of the province's rich mineral resources by foreign companies and the lack of employment opportunities for native Baloch people, are the main reasons behind the ever-spreading secessionist movement in Balochistan, an expert from University of South Wales has said.
The Balochs are an ethno-linguistic group, with most being Sunni Muslims (mostly of the Hanafi school), although there are also Shia communities in Iran, along the Iran-Pakistan border, and in southern Afghanistan. Balochistan is the largest region, followed by Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan.
The Baloch-inhabited region, roughly the size of France, is sparsely populated with around 9 million Balochs. Traditionally organised into tribes, many Balochs perceive their identity as tied to their ethnic and tribal affiliations rather than to the modern nation-states of Pakistan, Iran, or Afghanistan.
"Pakistan has historically treated Balochistan as a security issue rather than a development priority, which is evident from the province contributing less than 5% to Pakistan's population but covering nearly 44% of its landmass, making it difficult to govern under traditional centralised models. Moreover, serious lack of local representation in the federal government fuels separatist sentiments," Anant Mishra, a Marie Curie Research Fellow at the International Centre for Policing and Security (ICPS), told Sputnik India.
The presence of the Pakistani military in the region is frequently linked to the thousands of disappearances reported, with one estimate putting the number at over 10,000 forced disappearances, he added.
Besides, local Balochis believe that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) benefits Punjab and China more than the inhabitants of the area, which reinforces Balochistan Liberation Army's (BLA) fight for not just existence but survival, the strategic affairs pundit noted.
Notably, the BLA is the largest and most prominent Baloch militant group, engaged in an insurgency against the Pakistani government for decades, he marked. Its primary objective is the independence of Balochistan and the expulsion of China, which it sees as an external force exploiting the region.
In recent years, BLA militants have carried out numerous attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure projects, particularly those linked to the CPEC.
Many ethnic Baloch majority have expressed concerns over the perceived exploitation of the province's natural resources. They argue that the revenues from the region's gold, copper, and natural gas reserves have primarily benefited other parts of the country and foreign investors, while the local population continues to face significant economic challenges.
"Additionally, they view China's growing footprint in the region as a form of economic colonisation, fearing that the influx of Chinese investments and workers will further marginalise the Baloch people rather than uplift them. This perception of political and economic exclusion continues to fuel the insurgency," Mishra underlined.
Furthermore, by hijacking the train from Quetta to the northern city of Peshawar earlier this month, BLA has opened new strategic venues for similar styled groups such as the Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) and even inspiring many Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP*) fighters to target existing infrastructure such as transport mediums, the international relations researcher stressed.
This is the first instance where the group has employed such a method, signaling a move towards more sophisticated and high-profile attacks. This shift suggests that the BLA is adapting its methods to maximise political and psychological impact, reinforcing its opposition to Islamabad's control over Balochistan and its broader resistance against foreign influences, he pointed out.
Recent growing collaboration between Baloch militant groups and Islamist outfits like TTP and HGB has expanded their operational reach and intensified attacks, making the conflict more complex and significantly impacting the security landscape, Mishra emphasised.
"Additionally, there appears to be a lack of societal support for the current political structure in Balochistan, further emboldening militant groups. As disillusionment grows among the local population and the military's heavy-handed approach fuels resentment, separatist movements are gaining confidence and escalating their attacks," Mishra commented.
The conflict in Balochistan, rooted in historical grievances, political exclusion, and economic marginalisation, risks deepening if solely addressed through military force, the expert stated.
With rising insurgency and Baloch demands for autonomy, he emphasised that stability requires genuine political and economic reforms, not just security operations.
Mishra suggested that a sustainable solution requires giving Baloch residents a greater stake in governance and ensuring they have a meaningful say in decisions affecting their province. This also means addressing longstanding issues that fuel resentment, such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the lack of fair resource distribution. Without tackling these core grievances, military actions may temporarily suppress the insurgency but will not achieve long-term peace and stability in the region, he asserted.
Foreign companies play a significant role in the economic exploitation of Balochistan, particularly in the extraction of gold, copper, natural gas, and other valuable minerals, he stated.
"A visible example is the Reko Diq copper-gold project, one of the largest untapped reserves of its kind in the world. It is owned 50% by Barrick Gold, 25% by three federal state-owned enterprises, and 25% by the Government of Balochistan, of which 15% is on a fully funded basis and 10% is on a free carried basis. The project was stalled due to disputes over revenue-sharing with Pakistan, but Barrick Gold has since reentered, securing a deal that heavily benefits central government while offering little to the Baloch population," the analyst opined.
Meanwhile, Baloch locals see little benefit from infrastructure projects in Gwadar Port and other strategic areas, as jobs and contracts primarily go to Chinese construction firms, energy companies, state-owned enterprises, and non-Baloch workers, leading to further resentment, Mishra assessed.
Despite significant profits, local communities remain underdeveloped, with basic infrastructure like metalled roads lacking, as roads are primarily built to serve the foreign company's operations rather than nearby villages, the scholar noted.
"While foreign investment could theoretically contribute to development, the current structure ensures that Balochistan's wealth benefits stakeholders rather than the local communities. Without addressing these grievances and ensuring fair revenue distribution, local employment opportunities, and infrastructure development for Balochistan, foreign corporate involvement will continue to be seen as a tool of economic colonisation rather than a driver of progress," Mishra summed up.
However, Pakistan's stance remains clear: all foreign investments must comply with the country's laws and ensure that the benefits of these projects flow to the people of Balochistan, retired Brigadier Dr Tughral Yamin, a Pakistan Army veteran, told Sputnik India.
The Pakistan government is committed to ensuring that these ventures are beneficial to the local population, with job creation, infrastructure improvements, and revenue-sharing mechanisms in place, the military pundit stated.
"Both levels of government have worked to establish regulatory frameworks that secure a fair share of the profits for Pakistan, with provisions for local communities in Balochistan to receive a portion of the financial gains. Environmental protection and sustainable mining practices are also a priority, with contracts and agreements stipulating the adherence to international standards," Yamin stated.
Through a combination of direct oversight, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring equitable resource distribution, the government aims to ensure these foreign ventures contribute positively to the national economy while safeguarding the long-term well-being of the region and its people, he expressed.
For example, Barrick Gold, a Canadian mining company is one of the largest gold and copper producers in the world, which is involved in the Reko Diq copper and gold project through a joint venture with the government of Balochistan.
According to Yamin, the Toronto-headquartered business group has contributed to improving the lives of local communities in several ways:
1.
Job Creation: Barrick Gold has provided employment opportunities for thousands of local residents in Balochistan. This includes direct employment in mining operations, as well as jobs in support services, construction, and administration.2.
Skills Development and Training: Barrick invests in the training and development of the local workforce. Through its training programs, local workers are able to acquire technical skills that improve their employment prospects and support the long-term sustainability of the mining industry in the region.3.
Infrastructure Development: The company has contributed to the development of critical infrastructure in Balochistan, such as improving roads, electricity supply, and water resources. This helps not only the mining operations but also benefits local communities by improving access to essential services.4.
Community Welfare Programs: Barrick Gold has initiated various corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs aimed at improving the quality of life for local communities. These include investments in healthcare, education, clean water, and local entrepreneurship.5.
Economic Growth and Revenue Sharing: The revenue generated from the project provides the provincial government with financial resources that can be used for regional development, including public services, social programs, and economic diversification efforts. Barrick Gold's operations also contribute to broader national economic growth.Likewise, China's Metallurgical Construction Corporation (MCC) has been involved in the extraction of copper in Saindak. The local population in Balochistan has benefited in several ways from this project. One of the primary benefits has been job creation, as many local workers have been employed in various roles within the project, ranging from mine workers to support staff, the defence expert said.
Additionally, the project has contributed to infrastructure development in the region, including improvements in roads and local facilities. The local communities also benefit from skills development programs and training opportunities provided by MCC, which help workers gain expertise that can be used for future employment opportunities, Yamin elucidated.
"The government of Balochistan has also made efforts to ensure that a portion of the revenue generated from the Saindak project is reinvested into the region, promoting economic development and community welfare. However, challenges like ensuring equitable wealth distribution and environmental concerns remain ongoing issues for the government and stakeholders to address," he concluded.
9 December 2024, 22:09
* Terrorist organisation banned in Russia and other countries
