Balochistan conflict is a
long-term conflict between the Baloch and the Government of Pakistan. This
conflict is threatening the national integration of the State. Considering the
gravity of the situation, the prime interest of under taking this research was
to highlight the present conditions of Balochistan which are leading the
province towards separation. The study had made use of comparative design to
identify the similarities between the two case studies in order to suggest how
the situation that pushed East Pakistan for separation can be avoided in case of
Balochistan conflict.
Pakistan came into being in 1947, having two wings i.e. East and West Pakistan
divided by a large state of India. East Pakistan was a single province based on
Bengali majority and West Pakistan comprised of four provinces i.e. Punjab,
Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP.
There were various economic, political, social and psychological reasons due to
which the Bengali Hindus felt insecure and found it difficult to adjust to the
new reality of the Muslims of Bengal holding state power independently of them
and they started interfering in the internal instability. Ayub Khan was ruling
the country and when the conditions became uncontrollable he transferred the
power to Yahya khan, who announced General Elections to be held in 1970, which
were the first General Elections ever to be held in history of Pakistan.
As a result of 1970 General Elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party in West and
the Awami League in East got the majority but power was not transferred on the
basis of result, for which misunderstanding went to peak and to control it,
Yahya Khan used the army for Operation Searchlight, which resulted in 1971 war.
India also interfered as a support for Bengalis.
War went for one week, and finally Pakistan surrendered. As a result of this
East Pakistan became Bangladesh on 16th December, 1971 having Sheikh Mujeeb Ur
Rehman its Prime Minister.
Lord Louis Mountbatten was so accurate in his prophesizing that Pakistan would
not last more than a quarter of century. Hence Pakistan’s own action made the
first act of undoing in 1971.
As it’s a famous saying that History repeats itself. So if we remember the event
of East Pakistan separation in a blink of eye, one can say that the history is
repeating itself in the form of different internal conflicts like the one
discussed below “The Balochistan Conflict”.
Balochistan, one of the four provinces of Pakistan, comprises of 347,190 km
(square). It comprises of 43% of land but only 5% of total population. It is of
strategic importance for South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, and most
importantly for US.
Baloch say that "Nehru persuaded Mountbatten to force the leaders of the
princely states to decide whether to join India or Pakistan", and hence
independence "was not an option".
The reservations of Baloch with the Government are:
• The relationship with the Centre has always remained uncomfortable throughout
the history. There is over centralization of functions, planning and even the
authority to make decisions for development. Due to this the Baloch lack
confidence in Centre and in institutions of the State.
• The Baloch are underrepresented in almost all federal institutions.
• There is unequal distribution of resources and capital.
Baloch’s level of dissatisfaction has gone so high that they are thinking to
have their own flag, national anthem, currency and want their own separate
independent Government. They are being supported by many countries like
Afghanistan, India, Israel, US, Russia and different organizations like CIA,
Iran Intelligence Service, and RAW etc.
The “Kill and Dump” campaign by ISI added fuel to fire. In the period from
2003-2012, it is estimated that 8000 people were kidnapped by Pakistani security
forces in the province.
Akhter Mengal (ex-Chief Minister of Balochistan) gave 6 point agenda for an
independent Balochistan and resembles it with the six points of Sheikh Mujeeb of
East Pakistan.
There are several threats and challenges to peace building in Balochistan as
well as some significant positive developments. In view of these aspects some
future scenarios can be predicted:
• Scenario 1 : Moving towards peace and conflict
reduction
• Scenario 2 : Status Quo
• Scenario 3: Moving towards state failure or bloodshed (Pakistan Institute for
Peace Studies, 2010).
Now if the two situations are compared one can observe the following points:
there are quite similarities:
Economic deprivation: East Pakistan was the real producer of jute but they
were not given their earned share. Same is the situation in Balochistan which is
the hub of natural resources but is not given their deserved share and is still
a backward and undeveloped area.
Main demand: the foremost mandate of East Pakistan at that time was
representation as they were given very little representation in public as well
as private sector. Same is the case in Balochistan that even though they are
given representation but they are not given the provincial autonomy for which
they opt for movements which are suppressed by government through operations. So
their principal plea is to stop military operations and enhance security and
survival.
Operations: the operation search light in East Pakistan and the military
operations in Balochistan are of the same volume and momentum. These operations
can also lead to a war as it led in east Pakistan for example the 1973 operation
led the people to change their demand from provincial autonomy to independence.
Difference of culture: both in East Pakistan and Balochistan, there is nothing
common except religion Islam. Their traditions, history and culture is very
different.
External forces interference: both conditions became extreme due to external
interference. In case of East Pakistan India was the main supporter and enhancer
for Bengalis to have an independent state. They dominated them culturally and
intellectually. Same is the case of Balochistan in which the main backer is
Afghanistan which is free to enter Balochistan without visa however other
Pakistanis are granted with loss of life. In addition to this, Iran has a Shia
part which is asking Balochistan to join it and form an independent greater
Balochistan. Along with this the US congress resolution by Dana Rohrabacher is
strengthening the self determination of Balochistan.
The 6 point agenda: As the six points of Sheikh Mujeeb were according to the
situation and when they were not fulfilled it led to separation. Same is in
Balochistan in which Akhter Mengal gave six points for security and survival. So
if these are not implemented it can lead to separation and extremism.
The differences in both situations are:
Power Sharing: the East Pakistanis were not given equivalent representation in
public and private sector however Balochistan is given representation in every
sector even they have a specific quota in bureaucracy and military but the only
hurdle is their own culture.
Population difference: East Pakistan was a majority of Bengalis who were
fighting for themselves collectively. However in Balochistan 50% are Pushtoons
and the remaining are Baloch along with other tribes. Pushtoons are patriots and
don’t want separation, so Baloch can’t claim separation on behalf of whole
province but can claim security demand.
Land communication: East and West Pakistan had a land difference of 1000 km
separated by a large state of India, but in case of Balochistan this factor is
absent as it has a common boundary.
Acknowledgement: East Pakistanis were not given any opportunity of development
but Balochistan is given different opportunities like Reko Diq,
agaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package but they don’t avail this opportunity as the
literacy rate is very low.
The conditions are quite parallel and quite contrasting. To control this
situation, youth should play role to highlight this issue and awake the
government to take solid steps like limit the operations to the extent of
rebels, stop innocent killings, end the blame game with Baloch Sardars, provide
institutions for education and employment rather than only being a fake support
in the name of developmental schemes.
After a detailed exchange of ideas, it can be concluded that the conditions are
almost same as they were in East Pakistan depending upon the time frame. We as a
citizen don’t want this but if radical steps would not be taken it can lead to
another 1971 war and additional dark chapter for Pakistan.