Soviet presence in Afghanistan until seventies was
one major cause that gave rise to insurgency in Balochistan. Russia’s intention
was to create an independent Balochistan under its influence to have easy
access to warm waters of the Arabian Sea. It helped to launch a separatist
movement through leftist Baloch leadership headed by Sher Muhammad Marri. In
1973, the dismissal of the Balochistan provincial government by Prime Minister
Zulfikar Au Bhutto set the stage for four years long military action that
ultimately led to serious repercussions for Pakistan. Merging the four
provinces as One Unit to be called West Pakistan in 1955 was widely resented in
Balochistan. The One Unit broke up in 1970. However, the agitation that had
taken off in support of its break up, further reinforced the ongoing movement
for restoration of the rights of the Balochis. There grouses were the natural
resources of Balochistan do not benefit the people of the province. Much of the
gas is piped elsewhere in Pakistan. Also, Pakistan’s government has awarded
some resource concessions to China. China is also developing the port of
Gwadar, where the local population receives little benefit in terms of
employment, etc. Further, a large mine in which Pakistan’s government will get
48% of the benefits, the Chinese 50% but the Balochistan only 2%.
Balochistan includes parts of Afghanistan, and of
Iran. Iranian forces in Iranian Balochistan have been bombing and strafing Baloch
villages. Reasons included stepped up Baloch activity against the Iranian
authorities.
Another reason of unrest is Pakistan’s past
military operations in Balochistan. During seventies, Pakistan used Iranian
helicopters against them on behalf of the Shah who suspected that Baloch unrest
was spreading to Iran. In view of this, Government of Pakistan is well advised
to start negotiations with Balochistan immediately to address its grievances
otherwise the country is likely to become increasingly ungovernable. The unrest
should not be permitted to continue. A political settlement must be reached as
early as possible.
In some quarters fears is being expressed that
Baluchistan may some day break away form Pakistan. The fact, however is, that
an independent Balochistan is not viable at all. It is because of the
development of its vast natural resource which can be developed by the people
of Pakistan only. Moreover, it might lead to another area of instability in the
region. Failure to revise the concurrent list of the Constitution that
determines the quantum of provincial autonomy is the main cause of unrest which
should be addressed to seriously. This list was to be revised after every 10
years which was never done. Provincial autonomy is meaningless if the province
is not autonomous financially.
Another cause of unrest is that there would be an
influx of skilled workers from other provinces during the development process
in Balochistan. These people should not have the right to vote in Balochistan.
This would remove the apprehensions of the locals that they might become a minority in their own province. Balochistan
should have the right to utilize its huge natural resources. With an area of 3,
47,188 square km that is larger than the combined area of Punjab and Sindh.
Balochistan comprises 44 percent of Pakistan, has an 800 km long coastline,
produces 36 percent of natural gas. The province has immense geo-strategic
importance since it is huh between South Asia, South West Asia (Middle East)
and Central Asia; it shares 1173 km long border with Iranian Balochistan, and
837 km long border with Afghanistan besides having offshore potential of
natural resources.