Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement that he is considering holding talks with Baloch insurgents to bring peace in the province should be welcomed. If the government is serious about redressing the grievances of Balochistan, then it imperative that this matter is amicably resolved.
The prime minister has blamed poverty and backwardness for the insurgency in Balochistan, saying the problem would never have arisen if attention was paid to the region’s development. He said that ‘disgruntled elements’ were used by India to create discord and spread terrorism. If there is peace and prosperity in the province, then locals would consider themselves to be part of Pakistan. However, it is still a long way before the region is at par with rest of the country.
Successive governments have ignored Balochistan and it remains the poorest province. The economic packages and development schemes have not been implemented as the money has gone in the coffers of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. In 2009, the government launched the comprehensive Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package but it hasn’t made much headway despite the passage of over a decade.
A report by the United Nations in 2020 shows that 52 percent population in Balochistan live below the poverty line. Poverty if also the biggest reason for illiteracy, unemployment, and violence. Around one-third of Baloch youth are unemployed and are pushed to militancy. Thus, the prime minister has rightly stated that prosperity will end the province’s grievances.
Balochistan has remained voiceless for decades, having no saying the decision-making provinces and even how they should be governed. The political leadership should also involve them in the consultative process. There is also a need for more ownership rights for the resources in Balochistan. The province is rich in natural resources including oil, gas, copper and gold which have been exploited in the past.
Along with focusing on socio-economic development, the government should expedite reaching out to those outside the national mainstream. It needs to address serious issues such as the case of missing persons and political workers, the return of exiles and initiating dialogue. There is no problem that cannot be solved by peaceful means if we truly want the nation to move forward.
