Mahal BalochRife with socio-political upheavals, the region of Balochistan finds itself washed up on dire straits, an upshot of the perennial onslaught brought by terrorist outfits such as BLA among sundry others. Therefore, within the vast and intricate tapestry of global conflicts, the Baloch insurgency and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) occupy a troubled corner, where dreams of independence are entangled with the anguish of violence, resorting to unjustified means of terrorism. While Pakistan has fallen victim to political marginalization, economic depravity, and cultural assimilation, it still does not justify the path chosen by these militant groups to pursue independence. It is thus crucial, to scrutinize the motives, strategies, and consequences of such movements from a rational standpoint, and delve within the fallacies that plague the Baloch insurgency and the BLA. This will eventually provide us with an insight into how the scourge of BLA has bedeviled the country in recent times.
Recently, the suicide bombing wantonly orchestrated by the minds behind BLA, has left the entire nation in disarray and bedlam. The perpetrators – purportedly representing the Baloch culture- quite ironically employed the use of women, yet again, for carrying out suicide bombings against the country. This time, the victim of brainwashing and manipulation by the BLA, was a woman from Tootak in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan. Named Sumaiyah Qalandarani, the suicide bomber was a female member of the Majeed Brigade in BLA and had become yet another female casualty ensnared within the ulterior motives of BLA. With a perpetual uptick in terrorist attacks and accounting for more than one-third or 36% of the total terror-related casualties in Pakistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army is trying to run amok over the country. According to the Global Terrorism Index, BLA is considered one of the fastest-growing terrorist groups in the world, marking a manifold increase in its activity over the years. The terrorist activity carried out by the BLA is now on par with the mayhem being caused by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, making the militant organization a major bone of contention for the writ of the state.
One glance over the militant activity led by the BLA and we can rationally delineate how surreal and erroneous their ideology and modus operandi is. There are myriad reasons why the insurgent activity by such organizations within Balochistan is completely inconsistent and not in line with Baloch ideologies and culture. One such reason is the BLA’s usage of women for terrorist activity notably suicide bombing. This can also be seen in the case of Shari Baloch, who was used for suicide bombing by the BLA at the Confucius Institute in Karachi. These heinous individuals also target and brainwash these vulnerable women by exploiting their grievances and placing them in love traps. The recent case of Sumaiya Qalandarani is no exception, with her husband Rehan Baloch, being the son of an infamous terrorist known as Aslam Achoo. This is not confirmed by Baloch values and ideals which propound upon the importance of giving their women the utmost respect.
Another way the BLA is utilizing a flawed ideology is by considering violence as a justifiable means to an end. The logical end of a thriving nation can never be violence as violence will propagate more violence. The Balochistan Liberation Army, proclaiming itself as the champion of Baloch rights, has adopted violence and armed insurgency as its primary means of achieving independence. However, history has repeatedly shown us that violence begets violence, perpetuating a vicious cycle of suffering and destruction. Resorting to acts of terrorism, sabotage, and targeting innocent civilians not only erodes the moral high ground but also alienates potential allies, both within and beyond Balochistan
Moreover, the ideology of BLA also suffers from a major paradox and that is the paradox of separatism. The quest for independence, while understandable in the face of perceived injustices, often overlooks the complexities and realities of the modern world. In an era where interconnectedness and interdependence have become the norm, the idea of an isolated Balochistan raising its flag presents numerous challenges. Economic viability, security, and international recognition are just a few of the hurdles that separatist movements must overcome. Instead of pursuing the illusion of complete independence, a more pragmatic approach would involve seeking greater autonomy and self-governance within the existing national frameworks.
Furthermore, one of the most glaring fallacies of armed insurgency lies in the erroneous belief that inflicting suffering upon others will eventually bring about a better future. The BLA’s methods, including the destruction of infrastructure, the disruption of public services, and acts of violence, only exacerbate the hardships faced by the Baloch people. Such actions divert resources away from social development, perpetuating the very issues the insurgency claims to address. Instead of undermining the lives and well-being of their own community, a more constructive approach would be to invest efforts in education, healthcare, and socio-economic development.
If true progress and lasting solutions are to be achieved, it is imperative to shift the focus from violence to dialogue and negotiation. The Baloch people, armed with their legitimate concerns and grievances, should engage in constructive conversations with regional and national stakeholders. By fostering an environment of open discourse and mutual understanding, it becomes possible to find common ground and work towards addressing the root causes of discontent. Only through inclusive governance and democratic participation can the Baloch people genuinely shape their destiny.
The international community plays a crucial role in shaping the course of conflicts around the world, including the Baloch insurgency. Instead of turning a blind eye to armed groups or providing tacit support, global actors should actively encourage peaceful resolutions through mediation and diplomacy. International assistance in strengthening institutions, promoting human rights, and facilitating economic development can provide a platform for the Baloch people to pursue their aspirations within a united framework.
