The recent surge in violence across Balochistan, where over 70 lives have been lost in just a few days, underscores a grim reality: the people of this resource-rich yet impoverished province in southwestern Pakistan are being pushed to the edge by a state that has failed them. The attacks, carried out by Baloch insurgents, are a tragic manifestation of a rebellion that has simmered for decades—a rebellion born out of desperation, frustration, and a yearning for freedom from oppression.
#Breaking:𝟐𝟑 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 (𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐛)𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝'𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 23 people were shot and killed 1/2#Balochistan pic.twitter.com/GBkRWFoO1z
— Mansoor Ali (@MansoorAli077) August 26, 2024
Balochistan’s struggle is not new. For years, the province has been the stage for a low-intensity conflict, where various armed groups, most notably the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have fought against what they see as the colonization of their land by the Pakistani state. These groups, although often condemned for their violent tactics, are driven by genuine grievances: political marginalization, economic exploitation, and a brutal security crackdown that has seen countless disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
The attacks on civilians, including the recent massacre of 23 people in Musakhel district, are abhorrent and must be condemned unequivocally. Violence, particularly against innocent people, can never be justified as a means to an end. However, the rise in such incidents should serve as a wake-up call for the international community and for Pakistan itself. These violent outbursts are not the root of the problem; they are symptoms of a much deeper issue—an issue that cannot be solved by military might alone.
Balochistan, despite its vast natural resources, remains one of the poorest regions in Pakistan. The wealth generated from its gas fields, minerals, and other resources largely flows out of the province, benefiting the central government and other regions while leaving Balochistan impoverished. This economic exploitation is compounded by political marginalization. The Baloch people have long felt excluded from the corridors of power, with their voices drowned out by the larger, more dominant ethnic groups in the country.
A #BLA commander vows to launch attacks across Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 major cities if the military continues using suppression tactics like air raids and forced disappearances of civilians in #Balochistan. #OperationHerofBLA pic.twitter.com/NQPlzXPSd5
— Shahzéb K. (@shahzebkx) August 26, 2024
The Pakistani state’s response to Balochistan’s calls for autonomy and justice has been heavy-handed. The province has been subjected to a harsh military crackdown, with security forces accused of widespread human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Rights groups have documented these abuses extensively, yet there has been little accountability.
The recent wave of violence, including the targeted killings on highways and the destruction of vital infrastructure, is a clear indication that the situation is spiraling out of control. The BLA’s warning to civilians to avoid highways speaks to the level of desperation among insurgents, who see no other way to draw attention to their cause. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, in its condemnation of these attacks, has labeled the dead as “innocent citizens,” but this narrative ignores the complex reality on the ground—one where the lines between militant and civilian, oppressor and oppressed, are increasingly blurred.
Pakistan faces its worst rebel attacks from Baloch armed groups in years.
— Politicspedia (@Politicspedia23) August 26, 2024
Over 130 Pakistani Military men killed.
Over 40 civilians mostly from Punjab killed.
Dozens of Pakistani Military men injured.
BLA has released videos of its attacks on Pakistan Army Camps in Balochistan. pic.twitter.com/xgSZEvGwbR
Internationally, there has been a deafening silence on the plight of the Baloch people. The global community has largely turned a blind eye to the human rights abuses occurring in Balochistan, focusing instead on Pakistan’s strategic importance in the region. This silence is not just complicit; it is dangerous. It emboldens the Pakistani state to continue its oppressive policies in Balochistan, knowing there will be little to no repercussions from the international community.
The solution to Balochistan’s woes cannot be found in the barrel of a gun. Military operations and further repression will only breed more resentment, leading to more violence. What Balochistan needs is a political solution—one that addresses the genuine grievances of its people. This includes meaningful autonomy, a fair share of the province’s natural resources, and an end to the brutal security operations that have terrorized the population.
For Pakistan, it is time to recognize that Balochistan’s rebellion is not just a security problem; it is a political one. The state must engage in dialogue with Baloch leaders and insurgents, offering them a seat at the table where the future of Balochistan can be negotiated peacefully. This process will not be easy, and it will require significant concessions from Islamabad, but it is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the province.
For the Baloch people, the struggle for freedom and justice is far from over. But violence is not the answer. While it may draw attention to their plight, it also risks alienating potential allies and perpetuating the cycle of violence that has already claimed too many lives. The Baloch must continue to resist oppression, but they must do so in a way that builds solidarity, not division.
Balochistan’s cry for freedom is a cry for justice, dignity, and self-determination. It is a cry that must be heard—by Pakistan, by the region, and by the world. The time for silence is over. The time for action is now.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
