Pakistan - Troubled Balochistan

Three policemen including Additional Inspector General (AIG) Telecommunications Hamid Shakeel have become victims of the latest terror attack that struck Quetta on Thursday. The martyred AIG had served as the Investigations and Operations DIG in the city and was reportedly on the hit list of sectarian militants since long.

There seems to be no respite in sight for Quetta as the city continues to witness terrorist attacks despite claims by the security forces and law enforcers that the terrorists are ‘on the run’.

Police officials appear to be the prime targets of terrorists in the province for the last few months. In July, SP Mubarak Ali Shah was shot dead by unknown assailants.

The provincial government should have taken preventive measures and increased security for high profile police officials especially those believed to be on the hit list of terrorists. A lack of action on the part of the provincial government has been termed by analysts as one of the reasons for consistent attacks in Quetta.

The lack of coordination among the various forces responsible for law enforcement, security and intelligence gathering is also a cause for concern. Balochistan remains the most highly militarised province and yet a variety of militant groups continue to operate there. Though no particular group has yet claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack, the list of the suspects features the usual suspects: ethnic or sectarian militants.

It is of crucial importance that the authorities recognise the fundamental difference between these two types of militants active in the province. To fight sectarian militants, we need to implement the National Action Plan in its letter and spirit.

But the ethnic militants cannot be dealt with force. Theirs is a political battle that has to do with the imbalance of powers between the centre and provinces. These concerns can, and must, be resolved through negotiations. In this regard, a recent announcement by exiled Baloch leaders of a meeting in Geneva to devise a strategy for peaceful struggle must be observed carefully. So far, the authorities have dismissed the meeting on grounds that sardars have lost public support in the province to middle class leaders like Allah Nazar. Be that as it may, the point to bear in mind is that the province has been at the receiving end of violence all along this country’s history.

The conflict has resulted in loss of countless lives and caused misery and hardship for many others. The authorities, ethnic militants and the rest of us carry this burden of history on our shoulders. We can end this conflict by recognising and addressing legitimate grievances and agreeing to a viable and equitable federal framework, or, like those before us, we can pass on the burden to those who will soon take our places. Our choices today will determine how history judges us tomorrow.