Baloch struggle for freedom is a result of many components ranging from historical factors to contemporary developments. Some of the reasons why Balochistan want freedom from Pakistan are discussed below
Historical Reasons
Historically Balochistan was a free nation under supremacy of British crown. Founder of Pakistani state was a lawyer of the rulers of Balochistan. On 1947 Balochistan became independent from British. A stand still agreement was signed between Pakistan and Balochistan. But in 1948 Pakistan sent its army and annexed Balochistan by force. This is perceived as a betrayal by many. This has created resentment against Pakistan and its rulers among Balochs.
Ethnocultural Differences
Balochistan has nothing in common with Pakistan, culture wise. Baloch mainly identifies themselves with the Central Asian cultures. Even food, festivals, language and traditions are different from that of the Punjabi dominated Pakistani culture. In many ways Indus river plays the role of a cultural divide. Pakistan under a predominantly military rule did not try to accept and assimilate this culture to its own . In other ways there has been many instances where by they tried to destroy Baloch culture. Forcing them to study a foreign language, Urdu , is only one of many such instances.
Islamabad’s Economic Subjugation
Balochistan is one of the most resource rich regions in Pakistan. But Islamabad has refused to share this revenue with its rightful owners, the Balochs. This is in clear violation of Pakistani constitution’s
Article: 161 Natural gas and hydro-electric power. Lack of control over any of its revenue generation resources (natural gas and minerals) and a very low tax base makes Balochistan a deficit income state ,even when its contribution to federal coffer is hefty. This forces Balochistan to depend on federal “aids” for meeting over
75% of it day-to-day expenses. Even Baloch’s participation in Gwadar project is curtailed by total control by Federal government. This has resulted in less development in the region, loss of political rights and aspirations and subsequent resentment among the masses.
Political High-Handedness of Islamabad
Balochistan has lost its right to self determination long time back. Many people contest this by saying that Balochistan has an elected government. But the reality is that this government is a puppet of the leaders in Islamabad. The elections are done in the presence of Pakistani military. In the name of “
selective use of force” Islamabad has eliminated most of its political rivals and activists, terming them as foreign agents. Murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his family, who was an ex Chief minister of Balochistan, in a military operation is only one such example. Read more about political situation in Balochistan at
Swaroop Krishnan S's answer to Should India reject the democratically elected government in Baluchistan?
Lost Voices of Balochs
Balochistan has 44% of Pakistan’s total territory. But Balochs are only 5% of the total population. This makes them a minority in Pakistan. The total representation of Balochistan in National Assembly is only
17 out of 342. Thus Balochs have lost their voice in any legislations and are forced to live under the laws made for them by some Punjabis sitting in Islamabad.
Altered Demographics
Pashtun refugee influx from Afghanistan has altered the demographics of the province. Even government jobs are handed over to Punjabi youth due to lack of skilled workers. In Gwadar port the construction works are handled by Chinese engineers and workers from outside. A new township for workers are created near the old one in Gwadar which segregate Balochs from the outsiders. The new town has more facilities compared to the old town. Even the land surrounding Gwadar is acquired and sold to outsiders by corrupt Federal government officials. Thus Balochs became minority in their own homeland.
Pakistan's Balochs Fear Minority Status in Their Own Province
Neglected Education Sector
Educational sector of Balochistan is in shambles. Islamabad has never cared to create infrastructure for the education of Balochs. This resulted in many unskilled people in the region. So most of the high paying government jobs are given to educated Punjabi youth. This resulted in Balochs living in their own land as outliers devoid of any opportunities. This is another reason why Balochistan want to separate from Pakistan.
Ethnic Cleansing of Minorities
Ethnic cleansing is not unheard of in Pakistan. But this has spread to Balochistan also in the recent years. Just like in other parts of Pakistan , religious fundamentalist forces aiming at the homogenisation of the society has conducted targeted killings of minorities. Many international agencies have unearthed the role of Pakistan’s military-intelligence complex in these acts. This has created a sense of fear in the minds of Baloch people. Also Baloch’s don’t want their secular and tolerant culture to be corrupted further by the influence of fundamentalists from Pakistan. This also motivates them to want freedom from Pakistan.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan worried over mass migration of Hindus from Balochistan | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis
Gunmen target minority sect in Pakistan
Presence of Military
Pakistan started its rule over Balochistan with its military. Pakistan uses its military to maintain law and order in the region. This has created a sense of alienation. The brutalities committed by military on the citizens of Balochistan has crossed all the thresholds. These human rights violations even resulted in Pakistan getting reprimanded by the international community. After the advent of Chinese, Pakistan’s military has worked as henchmen who are payed to protect Chinese interests in Baloch soil.
Balochistan military operations
Humans Without Rights
Pakistan’s military occupation of Balochistan started in 1948. Since then there have been 5 waves of struggles. Most of these were brutally suppressed by Pakistani Military. This led to many human rights violations. Many international agencies have time and again reported about the gross mishandling of the human rights at the hands of Pakistani Military on the behest of government in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. But till now Pakistan has failed to resolve the matters democratically using political tools. Such level of inhuman treatment meted out on the citizens can be another reason why Balochs ask for freedom from Pakistan’s occupation.
HRW annual report and Human Rights violations in Balochistan
Conclusion
Baloch freedom struggle is a result of the indignation of people towards the Pakistani establishment. If Pakistan continues to neglect the dreams and aspirations of Balochs, it may not be able to avoid its impending Balkanisation. If there are no visible changes on the ground, Baloch freedom struggle will be the swan song of Pakistan
