Balochistan is not doing OK. There has been an alarming surge in terrorist violence over the past several days. The government is not oblivious to this either: chairing the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the joint resolve of the civil and military leadership to eliminate what he described as India-backed terrorism in Balochistan. The premier’s remarks followed a sobering briefing on Wednesday by ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. According to the military spokesperson, security forces killed 54 India-backed terrorists during three major terrorist incidents in Balochistan, while 42 Pakistanis, including soldiers and civilians, embraced martyrdom in defence of the country. He also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing concern that Afghan territory under the Taliban administration continues to be used for launching attacks against Pakistan. The figures alone underline the gravity of the situation. More worrying, however, is what they reveal about the changing nature of the insurgency. The frequency of attacks has increased, but so has their sophistication and scale. This suggests that terrorist organisations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the TTP have developed an operational nexus with access to substantial resources and enhanced capabilities.
The escalation also appears to coincide with a broader regional context. Pakistan’s recent diplomatic role in mediating the Iran-US peace deal and its military success against India during last May’s conflict may not have created these threats, but they appear to have intensified the determination of hostile actors seeking to destabilise the country. It is therefore unsurprising that observers describe the mood in Islamabad as increasingly sombre, with expectations of significant announcements on the security front. Such a reassessment is urgently needed. Today’s Balochistan requires a comprehensive response that combines a robust kinetic campaign with greater use of modern technology, intelligence-driven operations and sustained will. Military action remains indispensable. There can be no compromise on dismantling terror networks and eliminating their operational capabilities. And yet force alone will not secure lasting peace. One of the reasons organisations such as the BLA have expanded their influence is their ability to exploit genuine grievances among sections of the local population. Which is why the state needs to address longstanding concerns that many Baloch citizens have repeatedly raised. Above all, the state must show through both policy and practice that Balochistan is not a distant periphery but an equal and integral part of Pakistan.
Political leadership also has an indispensable role to play. Experienced leaders such as Mian Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari should actively contribute to building political consensus and restoring trust. The 18th Amendment marked an important step towards strengthening provincial autonomy and addressing the concerns of smaller provinces, but it was never intended to be the final destination. More meaningful devolution, greater inclusion and continued political engagement are necessary. Equally important is distinguishing between those who participate in constitutional politics and those who wage armed insurgency. Mainstream Baloch nationalist leaders should be engaged through dialogue, not conflated with terrorist organisations. At the same time, responsibility does not rest solely with the state, even if it bears the greatest burden. Those who use their platforms to justify, glorify or act as apologists for terrorist organisations such as the BLA must also recognise the damage they inflict. By legitimising violence, they undermine the very rights and legitimate grievances they claim to champion and ultimately harm the people of Balochistan themselves. Balochistan needs to be more than OK.
