Unrest in Balochistan

Why in news?

In the past few weeks, Balochistan, in Pakistan, has witnessed large-scale protests.

Balochistan

Geography - It is a region with a distinct cultural and historical identity that is now divided between three countries mainly Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Formation - In 1947, the Khan of Kalat announced the formation of an independent state in Balochistan and signed the instrument of accession in 1948 with Pakistan.
Annexation of Gwadar - At the time of Pakistan’s independence, Gwadar was part of the Sultanate of Oman.
After prolonged negotiations with Oman, Pakistan was able to purchase Gwadar in 1958.
One Unit Scheme - In 1955, various provinces and ethnic areas in West Pakistan were subsumed into a single province.
It resulted in considerable centralisation of power and negated the basic principles of federalism.
After much opposition, it was abolished in 1970 leading to the emergence of provincial assemblies, including in Balochistan.

Baluchistan

Recent issue - The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) had called for a Baloch Raaji Muchi in the Gwadar port city to highlight various issues like
- Human rights violations
- Resource exploitation
- Government’s inability to provide basic amenities
Also, there is a steady uptick in the attacks by Baloch insurgent groups on security forces, CPEC projects, including other targets, such as on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi.
Crackdown - The security forces’ crackdown and blockade of major towns and cities, such as Gwadar, Hub, Mastung and Quetta.
Consequences - It resulted in a sharp increase in the prices of necessities such as food, medicine, and petrol.

Dismissal of provinces - The provincial governments were routinely dismissed.
Lack of provincial autonomy - Islamabad continued to have a significant say in the governance of the province.
Economic neglect – The region continues to be one of the most backward regions in Pakistan.

Balochistan accounts for 44% of the country’s landmass with significant mineral resources, such as copper, gold, coal, and natural gas.

The exploitation of these resources has not resulted in substantive economic benefits for the local population.
Deprived social development - The region’s performance is less than satisfactory even with respect to child, youth, and labour development indicators.
Extra-judicial killings - The security forces, as a part of their counter-insurgency operations, reportedly resort to enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and fake encounters.
Lack of local participation - Infrastructure projects with external assistance and without adequate local stakeholder participation has exacerbated the Baloch grievances
Threat of Chinese - The possible militarisation of the Gwadar port and fencing has raised concerns among locals of losing access to large parts of the coastline.

China has emerged as a major player in Balochistan’s geopolitical and economic matters.
It has invested in mining, energy, airports and expressway projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

It is a 3,000-kilometer-long network of infrastructure projects.
Route - It begins in Kashgar, China, traverses through the length of Pakistan and ends in Gwadar.
Goal – To make a secure and shorter path for China to get energy from the Middle East.
It helps china avoid the existing route from the Straits of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia to secure energy imports.

CPEC

Control over Gwadar Port - A Chinese firm has taken the Gwadar port on a 40-year lease and is involved in constructing and operating it.

Gwadar is located close to the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that witnesses substantive oil transportation.

Influence over Persian Gulf - A Chinese naval presence will enhance its ability to project power into the Persian Gulf and to protect its energy supplies via the Strait of Hormuz.
Impacts - Even a decade after the initiation of the CPEC, there have been no tangible gains for their people.
The presence of Chinese trawlers closes to Gwadar prompted protests from the local fishing community that demanded an end to illegal fishing.
The province’s demography is changing rapidly as non-locals have moved into Balochistan to work on infrastructure projects.

Issues over Indo-Pak relations - Islamabad has repeatedly accused India of fomenting attacks and creating issues in Balochistan.
Historically, the separatist and anti-state elements in Balochistan have also been linked to Afghanistan and India.
CPEC infiltration in India - CPEC route a passes through the controversial territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir between India-China and India-Pakistan respectively.
Impact Chabahar port - Chinese development at Gwadar port might affect India’s efforts in the Middle East region and Chabahar port in Iran.

Pakistan establishment should listen to voices calling for a prudent approach to address the challenges in Balochistan.
Pakistan should work to solve the province’s burning issues, such as the missing persons and socio-economic disparity.