IN the wake of the recent terrorist rampage in Balochistan, the civilian and military leadership is trying to pick up the pieces and formulate an effective counterterrorism policy in this long-troubled province.

In this regard, the prime minister chaired a meeting of the Apex Committee in Quetta, attended by the army chief, where he reiterated the state’s resolve to bring peace to Balochistan. He pointed out that there had been “great concern” across the country about what was going on in the province. Earlier, the provincial police chief was replaced, apparently as a reaction to the security lapse that enabled the proscribed BLA to attack civilian and security targets in different parts of Balochistan.

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The PM has done the right thing by heading to Balochistan and reassuring its people that the state will not abandon them. However, beyond rhetoric, an honest appraisal of the situation over the last few decades is required by the rulers to bring long-lasting peace to this tortured land. Changing the IG appears to be a knee-jerk, formulaic reaction. It should be remembered that the law and order situation in Balochistan is complex, with ‘A’ and ‘B’ areas manned by different LEAs, while it is actually the establishment that calls the shots in the province where security management is concerned. So the provincial police alone are not to blame.

What is needed is a thorough probe involving all agencies and LEAs to investigate the matter and ensure such a security lapse is not repeated.

Moreover, beyond the militarised security approach, a more holistic response is needed to address Balochistan’s burning issues, the biggest of which is the people’s alienation with the state. The provincial chief minister pointed to this issue when he recently commented that Baloch youth were being systematically alienated from the state through “manipulation”. While he is partially right about separatist forces exploiting the Baloch youth’s disaffection with the state, it is the administration itself that has played a role in creating this situation by failing to uplift Balochistan socioeconomically over several decades.

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The PM, during his Quetta trip, also observed that “obstacles” standing in the way of progress need to be removed. So, while eliminating violent elements that attack the state and citizens is important, it is also crucial that the sense of deprivation that fuels the separatist narrative be addressed.

As this paper has mentioned before, there must be genuine political engagement with Balochistan’s people, and the democratic process should be allowed to evolve without ‘management’ from certain quarters. Moreover, the province’s abysmal health and education situation needs to change, while Balochistan’s people should be given first right in jobs and training in local and foreign projects. Ultimately, ensuring constitutionally guaranteed rights to Balochistan can help turn the tide.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024