Pakistan has been facing external as well as internal threats. One of the many internal threats is the Baloch insurgency. Being the largest province of Pakistan and having the most natural resources such as natural gas, coal and other important minerals it remains the most neglected and underdeveloped province. There are many reasons for the Baloch people to resent governments of the past and present. The influx of Afghan refugees, construction of Gwadar port, extraction of natural gas and the non-serious attitude towards the problems the Baloch are facing all make them resent the rest of Pakistan.
These can easily be solved if the state shows willingness to address them. There should be a share in the revenues extracted from its resources. Baluchistan should get equal development funds and be considered equal to all other provinces. The Baloch people must be taken into confidence on mega projects such as Gwadar Port. Law enforcement agencies should be more kind to the people and there should be more Baloch people inducted into these agencies.
Security forces should use legitimate state authority to combat sectarian violence. There should be checks and balances to ensure that there is no influx of Afghan refugees into the province. Baloch culture should be promoted at country level and last but not the least, negotiations should be held between the government and the Baloch Nationalist Movement. These few changes may ensure peace and stability in this wonderful province.
TARIQ FARUQI,
Karachi, May 10.