Balochistan: From Resistance to Reconciliation

By Sajjad Shaukat

In a key development for restoration of peace in the Balochistan province, Commander of Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) Sarfaraz Bangulzai, along with his 70 companions on December 20, last year surrendered to the state and joined the national mainstream.

Balochistan’s top separatist leader Gulzar Imam alias Shambay who was also the founder of the banned outfit BNA was arrested on April 7, 2023.

Addressing the media on May 13, 2023, Gulzar Imam apologised for terrorism related attacks and urged all insurgents operating in the Balochistan to surrender and adopt a peaceful life, saying that rights could only be achieved through political and constitutional struggle.

In fact, various separatist terror groups have cast a shadow on the genuine aspirations of the Baloch people.

Shambay’s capture has created a leadership vacuum within the BNA which was formed after the merger the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the United Baloch Army (UBA). This resulted into internal conflicts over resources and finances, severely hampering the insurgency’s capacity to function as a cohesive unit. Hence, BNA now appears on the verge of collapse.

This crack offered golden opportunity for reconciliation and dialogue offered by Pakistan. The kind treatment extended to surrendered militants, like Sarfaraz Bangulzai and his men, presented an enticing scheme for others. Bangulzai’s defection has also lead to a mass exodus from the BNA.

In this regard a book “From Resistance to Reconciliation”, written by Mir Hazar Khan Marri has gained much importance.

The author wrote “Balochistan has been a hub of external conspiracies for decades, benefiting neither the conspirators nor Balochistan itself…The minds of Baloch youth have been poisoned with orchestrated hatred, making them believe their rights are being usurped and the state is their biggest enemy”.

He elaborated: “The survival of the Baloch sardari (feudal) system depends on opposing the state. If Baloch leaders make peace with the state, the foundation of the sardari system will crumble. Ignorance, unemployment, and the enemy within are the real enemies of Baloch youth, making them vulnerable to anti-state propaganda. Baloch have been fighting for decades, exhausting generations. Now, they must opt for peace.”

He stated: “Most Baloch have accepted the state’s constitution, but some sardars pursued personal interests and waged war against the state, resulting in devastation for Baloch. The infamous Greater Balochistan project gained momentum after Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan but fizzled out after Russia’s withdrawal”.

Mir Hazar Khan fought against the state for over two decades, took self-imposed exile in Afghanistan, and launched numerous attacks on security forces.

Author Ammar Masood’s book chronicles Hazar Khan’s transformation from a resistor to a peacemaker, reflecting Balochistan’s complex politics and current tensions.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s government offered general amnesty, and Hazar Khan began his journey towards reconciliation, engaging in politics and contributing to Balochistan’s development.

However, upon returning home after two decades, he realised that his struggle was futile and had harmed Baloch the most.

A book launch ceremony for Mir Hazar Khan Marri: From Resistance to Reconciliation was held in Islamabad, attended by prominent figures, including the Governor and Chief Minister of Balochistan.

Today, Hazar Khan’s grandson is a high-ranking military officer, symbolizing the power of transformation.

Nonetheless, in his later years, Hazar Khan chose reconciliation, benefiting himself, Baloch, and Pakistan.

His life teaches us that no militant group, no matter how powerful, can surpass the state’s authority.

It is notable that the country’s efforts to develop Balochistan should be explained especially China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, including the development of Gwadar Port. These initiatives aim to generate revenue for Baloshistan and to create jobs for their people.

In the meantime, the latest terrorist attacks on these projects prove the insurgents’ intention to weaken the development in the province. Question arises as to why the progress of the province targeted by the so-called nationalists who claim that they are fighting for the rights of the Baloch?

Nevertheless, the ASAs are hampering Balochistan’s progress by attacking vital infrastructure projects like dams, communication facilities and transportation networks. These moves are portrayed as inflicting real damage on the Baloch people themselves, hindering economic development and essential services.

Meanwhile, the human rights activists have continued their propaganda campaign in their call against the illegal abductions, while setting aside the ASAs recruitment of students into militants’ outfits, which is a clear violation of the right to education and a tactic to manipulate young people.

As regards the issue of missing persons, the state contends that exaggerated figures are being quoted, and that many missing persons are actually hiding in the insurgents’ camps.

Recent events like the involvement of Abdul Wadood Satakzai and Karim Jan Baloch in terrorist-assaults are being used as instance of Baloch youth being exploited. The families of these men were reportedly engaged by a human rights activist in a long march seen as a propaganda campaign against Pakistan. Such actions also hinder genuine efforts towards peace and reconciliation.

Besides, Baloch people must think that the so-called militant or sub-national leaders are living abroad, enjoying luxurious lifestyle, whereas the ordinary Baloch are facing hardships in mountains and fighting a futile battle against the state.

When the Taliban fighters in August 2021 seized power, taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban-led government clarified that Afghan soil would not be used for any terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al Qaeda ISIS etc. for terror-attacks against neighboring countries, including Pakistan. But, regarding several terror attacks, sources suggested that some militants of the TTP which is based in Afghanistan have entered Pakistan from Afghanistan. Therefore, military leadership had warned Kabul to check this infiltration.

Recently, some commanders of the terror groups, who were captured by the country’s security agencies, revealed that Taliban-led Afghan regime is in collusion with the TTP as well as with other terror outfits to destabilise Pakistan, and to target CPEC.

Pakistan’s armed forces and primary intelligence agency ISI have successfully broken the backbone of the foreign-backed terrorists. Peace has been restored in Balochistan province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and in Karachi, including in other vulnerable regions.

But, terrorist assaults continued in the KP and especially Balochistan which is central point of the CPEC—show that the CIA-led Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad are weakening the country and want to damage the CPEC project which is part of China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative or BRI, as Washington and New Delhi have already opposed this project.

RAW is also using some terrorist outfits such as ISIS and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)-linked Majeed Brigade which claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks on workers and labourers, working for the CPEC projects in Balochistan. These terror entities also abducted and killed many Chinese nationals.

As regards the recent terror assaults, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Afghan Taliban “to prevent terrorist organizations…the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) from attacking Pakistan or any other neighbouring country from Afghan territory.”

Islamabad has repeatedly warned the interim Afghan Taliban administration that if TTP involved in cross-border attacks are not eliminated, Islamabad would take action against them within Afghanistan. Not only that, all facilitators and abettors of terrorists would also face the same consequences.

On the whole, this critical state of affairs necessitates continuation of genuine endeavours to address the root causes of the separatist elements, ensuring fair treatment of all Balochi people and to adopt a real sense of justice.

The Baloch are an inclusive nation, making efforts for a peaceful and prosperous future for all people. Any endeavor to create division among them in the name of greater Balochistan is nothing, but a designed strategy to break Pakistan. And India has been targeting Balochistan to divert the world’s attention from the atrocities’, being committed by the Indian security forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

This narrative stresses that Balochistan belongs to its people and the state will not allow anarchists working at the behest of foreign agencies to hijack Baloch nationalism.

Those at the helm are completely aware of the Baloch peoples’ grievances, who are being harmed by misguided dissidents. So, the government offers Baloch youth opportunities for success through improved access to quality education and employment opportunities—a share in the prosperity and promised by the exploration of mineral resources in the province.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement actions and the fencing of the international border have improved security in Balochistan. Coupled with the offer of reconciliation presents a compelling reason for separatists to lay down arms and rejoin mainstream.

Therefore, the government of Pakistan emphasises reconciliation with the aim to foster a sense of shared identity—belonging among the varied groups of Balochistan.

Now, BNA and other separatist groups must reconcile and surrender for ultimate integration into the society, which can lead to development of Balochistan as well as Pakistan

In fact, in his later years, Hazar Khan chose reconciliation, benefiting himself, Baloch, and Pakistan.

His life teaches us that no militant group, no matter how powerful, can surpass the state’s authority.

The lesson from Mir Hazar Khan’s life is that to live in this country, one must accept its constitution, love its soil, and respect its martyrs.

The author urged Baloch youth to read this story and love their country.

He emphasized the government’s responsibility to spread this inspiring tale to every household, adapt it into a film, and compose songs to promote it.

This story must reach every Baloch home to counter hatred and promote peace and love for the nation.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is the author of the book, US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations.

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com