THE target killing of 16 Punjabis in Balochistan reflects the dangerous lawlessness that prevails in that province. It also reflects how the separatists continue to exploit Baloch grievances by targeting Punjabis settled or working in Balochistan. The killing of Punjabis has been going on for some time now in that province. Of the latest victims, 10 were shot after being identified and taken off the bus they were travelling in. Six were workers from Punjab who were again identified and killed in Quetta. Clearly, the state needs to move on redressing Baloch grievances, both economic and political; but it also needs to ensure that all Pakistanis can move around freely within their country without fear of being targeted because of their ethnic origins. Unfortunately, ethnic targeting continues to grow not just in Balochistan, but also in Sindh where Karachi continues to be in the throes of target killings with Pushtuns being the main victims. The tragedy is that in Karachi these killings and destruction of Pathan businesses are directly linked to the main ethnic-based political parties and their workers. In Balochistan, venting anger against Punjab has been part of the diet fed to the Baloch people by separatists who play on the vulnerability of people long deprived of their economic and political rights. Ironically, while a large part of the blame for this deprivation has to fall on the Centre, some of the blame also rests with the tribal chiefs who treat their people no better than vassals. The only way out of this impasse is to open up the area through economic development and provision of basic health and education facilities. The dangerous trend of ethnic targeting poses a direct threat to the federation. After all, Punjab is a province which has a mix of all ethnic groups of Pakistan present and this could become a volatile cocktail if resentment is fuelled there in response to the continuing killing of Punjabis in Balochistan. The BLA has claimed responsibility, showing once again its anti-Pakistan agenda. The Pakistan leaders know full well where the BLA leadership is sheltered and where its funds are coming from. Why are they keeping silent on the issue? Meanwhile Balochistan's Chief Minister Raisani has expressed the usual grief over the latest killings and ordered an inquiry, but that is simply not enough. He needs to move by words and deeds to actively rid the Baloch mind of the notion of Punjabi exploitation. After all, just as poor Pathans traverse the length and breadth of their country to seek better economic opportunities, so does the Punjabi worker. It will be a sad day for Pakistan when every province, including Punjab, become hostage to ethnic "cleansing". We have already been dragged down by sectarian wars; let us not go down the road of ethnic separateness.