The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have claimed responsibility for the failed suicide attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi. Thereby raising serious questions about how a group proscribed by the Pakistani state back in 2006 was able to carry out such an audacious attempt; in a provincial capital, no less.
In a statement, the group confirmed that the intended aggression was to send the message that “we will not tolerate any Chinese military expansionist endeavours on Baloch soil”. Be that as it may, Prime Minister Imran Khan was quick to denounce the incident as a “conspiracy” against Sino-Pak strategic cooperation. Thereby pointing the finger towards India as the unnamed hidden hand in this instance.
Some pundits are inclined to agree. After all, there were reports of New Delhi investing substantial funds to promote ‘Free Balochistan’ posters in Geneva last year. And then there is the matter of Indian national and suspected spy Kulbhushan Jadhav being picked up in the restive province back in 2016.
These developments are troubling. Not least because Pakistan could become the battleground for not one but two (interconnected) proxy wars. The first between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Last week saw Tehran offering to send combat troops here to try and curb cross-border terrorism. And then, of course, Riyadh is all set to build an oil refinery at Gwadar. The second: an Indo-US offensive targeting China. Washington, for its part, supports New Delhi’s claims that CPEC runs through disputed territory. While the BLA is said to enjoy safe-havens on the other side of the Durand Line.
The Khan government has from the offset promised the people of Balochistan that the Corridor will afford them economic prosperity and desperately needed development. Indeed, Chief Minister Jam Kamal confirmed at the beginning of the month that the provincial government alone will have the authority to enter into contracts with foreign entities vis-à-vis mineral projects. Meaning that the Centre will be restricted to the role of mere facilitator. Yet even this circumvents the fundamental issues that many ethnic Baloch continue to raise. And even if ownership of natural resources rests with the provincial government — this still translates into the political apparatus exerting control of profit margins as well as where these will be directed. And then there are genuine concerns over the influx of foreign workers replacing predominantly Punjabi labour forces to side-line locals.
What becomes clear, therefore, is that the PM needs to come up with a strategy that may include dialogue with the BLA and other insurgent groups in the province. After all, while in opposition, the PTI supremo was known to back talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan; even going as far as to suggest that the militants be allowed to set up their own office. If this does not happen, the whole of Balochistan risks turning into a militarised region in order to protect Chinese workers from further attacks. Yet focus on Baloch grievances and why this group continues to feel economically disenfranchised and excluded from the federation must be central to any initiatives for peace.
Elsewhere, in a welcome break with tradition the premier had the CM Balochistan accompany him on his recent visit to China. Now is the time for even more profound confidence-building measures.
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