Dr. Madhulika Singh, Alaknanda Mahajan
alakmahajan26@gmail.com
Baluchistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least developed province, finds itself at the heart of a complex geopolitical contestation and persistent insurgency. The Baloch protracted struggle is rooted in the complex interplay of colonial legacy, forced integration and persistent political alienation. Ideologically, the Baloch movement is driven by a strong sense of ethno-nationalism seeking recognition for their distinct historical, cultural and tribal identity. Additionally, Baluchistan’s immense strategic and economic significance with the advent of mega projects of Gwadar port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has further fueled Baloch resentment. Locals perceive it as another layer of exploitation under the guise of progress.
Pre- 1947 Tapestry
The evolution of a distinct Baloch National identity was first envisioned in pre-colonial timeswhen Baluchistan was divided into four Princely states – Kalat, Lasbela, Makran and Kharan, all under the suzerainty of the Khan of Kalat who was regarded as sovereign Prince, independent of British Government. While the majority of Princely States of India were incorporated in Category A under the aegis of the Political Department, some states like Nepal, Bhutan, Kalat and Sikkim were grouped in Category B under the supervision of the External Affairs Department. However, by side-lining and disregarding all the evidences of its independent status, the Government of India, through the Act of 1935 unilaterally included Kalat among the Princely States of India.
Partition and its Aftermath
As the British Empire in India was nearing its end, many questions and discrepancies arose regarding the special status and independence of Kalat. Mir Ahmad Khan, the then Khan of Kalat, declared that as his State had never been a part of the Indian empire, he wished to retain his Independence. However, Mountbatten did not give his assent to Kalat’s independence. In a dramatic turn of events, on 27th March 1948, the Pakistani army invaded Kalat and its ruler was forced to surrender. Thus, by signing the Instrument of Accession, Kalat state became a part of Pakistan. Quetta, its capital, went on to become Pakistan’s military base as it was situated on the strategic routes to Persia and Afghanistan.
Baluchistan – Pakistan’ Achilles Heel
In the aftermath of the forced accession Kalat to Pakistan in the year 1948, the ties between the Baloch Nationalists and the Pakistani government have been confrontational. This conflict stems from their separate histories, cultures, and languages. Thus, Pakistan has failed to forge a common national identity. Although providing greater autonomy to the provinces was a part of Jinnah’s famous Fourteen Points. But after the creation of Pakistan, Jinnah changed his stance. The unwillingness to allow regional autonomy to the Baloch has been the primary factor that led to the Baloach nationalist forces repeatedly launching a guerrilla war against the State.
Political, Social and Administrative Marginalization
The causes of alienation of Baloch people are multi-dimensional. Their forced accession in 1948 is believed to have obliterated their distinct identity. This is the issue that resonates even today and Baloch people have not reconciled to being a part of Pakistan. This sense of disillusionment was further inflamed by the systemic marginalization of the province. The feeling has persisted that the Federal Government of Pakistan dominated by Punjabi military and bureaucratic elites, was discriminating against them and colonizing their province by cashing in on their abundant natural resources without ploughing much back to improve the socio-economic conditions of the locals. Additionally, the condition of educational system of the province is woefully dysfunctional. Its high rate of illiteracy and low standard of educational progress are the root cause of Baluchistan lagging behind the other provinces. There is a persistent feeling of isolation, dejection and rejection.
Economic and Geo-political significance
Baluchistan, with its 760 km coastline has enormous strategical potential. It sits astride the strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic points of the Indian ocean, through which 40 percent of the world’s oil supply flows.Its geographical proximity to oil and gas deposits of Central Asian regions add to its strategic importance. The naval bases of Pakistan – Ormara, Pasni and Gwadar are located on the Baloch coast. Besides providing strategic depth to Pakistan, the province has a great potential for revenue generation. It is also called fruit basket of Pakistan and has a rich treasure of mineral and energy resources. Reserves of coal, gold, and copper etc. have been found in the region. It is the key to energy security of Pakistan.
In the North-West of Baluchistan, the CPEC project has become a complete development platform consisting of port, road and rail infrastructural networks. It seeks to connect Gwadar in Baluchistan with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Province. Gwadar’s potential is also based on its strategic location on Baluchistan’sMakrancoast. It is the outlet for (CPEC) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, providing Xinjiang province of China with commercial access to the Persian Gulf. The development of Gwadar port and CPEC has further heightened Baluchistan’s strategic significance and the corridor has the potential to transform Pakistan into an economic hub. However, the increasing strategic importance of Baluchistan has changed the dynamics between Islamabad and Quetta.
The Baloach nationalists have come to view the mega projects as a part of a political strategy dictated by the desire to extract this treasure for the benefit of Pakistani bureaucratic bourgeoisie and foreign imperialist interest. Their main ground of criticism were exclusion of the local people and their representatives from planning and execution of the project and the lack of employment to the local people. Moreover, grabbing prime farmlands and influx of workers from other provinces especially from Punjab have intensified their anxieties regarding ethnic imbalance in Gwadar. This changed dynamics led to the apprehension of becoming a minority in their own land, has provoked a violent backlash from the natives.
Implications
Baluchistan has long been a flashpoint for separatist movement since 1948.The region has suffered through decades of protracted unrest and insurgencies.The natives have been fueled by grievances over political exclusion, resource exploitation and human rights violations. Further, it resulted in brutal military crackdown in the province with its offshoots of enforced disappearances and severe human rights abuse. In retaliation, The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) formed in 2000, has targeted Pakistani security forces and infrastructure, including projects tied to CPEC. In 2024, Baloach attacked Chinese nationals and infrastructure, straining China-Pakistan ties. Baloach insurgents have repeatedly attacked CEPC project citing local displacement and ecological damages.
On 9th May, 2025 Baloach Nationalist leader Mir Yar Baloach declared the province as Democratic Republic of Baluchistan urging India to recognize its sovereignty and establish diplomatics. The Baloch leader proclaimed that Baluchistan has never been a part of Pakistan as they had declared their independence on 11th August 1947, when British were leaving Baluchistan.
India signaled a shift in its approach regarding the Baluchistan issue in the year 2016, when Prime Minister Modi raised Baluchistan’s human rights issues in his Independence Day speech countering Pakistan’s false narrative regarding Kashmir. It has also undermined Pakistan’s credibility on global platforms when it raises concerns over Kashmir. However, directly supporting Baloch movement could lead to an escalation of bilateral tensions. The people of Baluchistan havesuffered severe human rights abuses, enforced disappearance and extra judicial Killings. Supporting Baluchistan also aligns with India’s democratic values and Human rights advocacy.
The Pakistan army’s intent of suppressing the Baloch voice through force rather than reconciliation has deepened internal unrest thereby diverting its military and intelligence resources inward. For Pakistan, Baluchistan is the test case for its territorial integrity. While Baluchistan crisis poses challenges for regional stability, it also offers India strategic avenues to address its security concerns, counter regional adversaries and assert its influence on the international platform.
(The author are Associate Professor, and Scholar Department of History, Jammu University)
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