The Baloch people have faced oppression from the Pakistani state since Balochistan was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan in 1948. This has led to several independence movements over the decades fighting against human rights abuses, lack of autonomy, and exploitation of Balochistan's resources by the central government. The latest conflict began in 2004 in response to the killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti, and since then over 20,000 Baloch activists and civilians have been abducted or killed by Pakistani security forces, fueling a violent insurgency for an independent Balochistan that continues today.

1. BALUCHISTAN CONFLICT IN
PAKISTAN

2. Baloch People
 Theories regarding their origin
 Arab perspective: Baloch were Arab tribes who migrated to Modern day Baluchistan in 9th
century due to conflict with Islamic Caliph Muwaiyah.
 Iranian Perspective: Other views are they are originally from Caspian Sea region of Iranian
tribes as Balochi language has a close resemblance to Iranian languages like Persian and
Kurdish.
 Baloch Perspective: Modern Baloch Scholars argue that the Baloch nation is a mixture
of various ethnic groups such as Aryans, Arabs, Persians, Kurds and Dravidians,
 >> Balochi was not written until middle of 20th century, the history was transferred to
different generations with oral traditions.
 In Modern history, African and Indian community have also become part of
Balochistan:
>>Slave trading by Baloch Rulers in Africa from 17th to 19th century. Baloch of African origin
have become have part of Baloch culture.
>>People with Indian origin have also become part of Baloch culture after Baloch Rulers
invaded part of India and modern day Pakistan and brought Prisoners of war in larger numbers
to modern day Balochistan.
Historically Tribal system played a huge part throughout Baloch history:
>> Around 150 plus major Tribes: Each Tribe has a Sardar(Head of the clan) and used to rule
under Balochi code(Cultural Values and ethics)

3. Baloch Diaspora and Modern Day
Balochistan
 Balochistan is divided into three countries: Pakistan, Iran and
Afganistan
Population and Regions divided into:
 Balochistan Pakistan: Around 8 million
 Sistan ve Balochistan: Around 2.4 million
 Afghanistan Balochistan, Nimroz region: Around 200K
 Oman: Around 500k-1million
Religion:
Mainly Sunni Muslims and some religious minorities
Like Zikri's and Other religions too exist.
Languages:
Balochi speakers: 8 million Brahui speakers: 2.3 million
Famous Tribes:
Rind, Lashari, Hoth, Mengal, Marri, Bugti etc

4. First Baloch State
 In early 17th century: After years of weakening
and disintegration Of Safavid empire and
Mughal empire in the region and arrival of
European powers in the region, Baloch leader
saw an opportunity
 In 1666, Mir Ahmed Khan Qambrani with help
of several Baloch Tribes established the first
Baloch state in the region called Khanate of
Kalat or State of Kalat.
 In 1749, Mir Naseer Khan I became the ruler
and consolidated his power and controlled all
the Baloch lands and also occupied parts of
non-Baloch lands in modern Afghanistan and
Iran.

5. British Colonialism era in Balochistan
 British occupation of Balochistan in 1839
 Occupation of Kalat and Killing of Mehrab Khan II and installing Mir Shah Nawaz Khan as
the ruler( An example of maximization of power form distance where certain groups
were favored over others)
 In October 1940, Mobilization of Baloch Forces came under the command of Mir Naseer
Khan and he retook Kalat state from British empire after fierce battle for 3 days. British
army regained power in the region on November 1840 by bringing a large army from
other states and signed treaties with Mir Naseer Khan II on trade and army presence.
After the death of Mir Naseer Khan II in 1857, Kalat State weakened and British influence
further Increased.
 Oppression of the Baloch society continued under British rule
 Civil war in Baloch tribes and regions for influence in the British Empire . Jam and
Mengal Tribes, Sarawan and Jhalawan areas, Eastern Mekran.

6. British Colonialism era in Balochistan
 Divide and Rule formula by British empire: Conflicts between the Khan and the
Sardars: Marri and Bugti Uprising for favoring certain groups over the other.
 Great Game in the region: In 1871, British agreed to divide Western Balochistan from
State of Kalat and helped Iranian forces to occupy western Balochistan and established
the Goldsmith border line(Artificial border line) in order to stop Iran making an alliance
with Russians and French.
 Treaty of 1876: Power came under the governor general and British empire had a
direct rule, while Khan was confined only for the rituals to his courts.
 Baloch resistance against occupation after 1856 in various parts of Balochistan
 Artificial creation of Boundaries in Balochistan: In 1893, demarcation of Afghanistan
and Balochistan borders were set, also known as Durand line. The borders lines are still
are a source of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

7. Collapse of British empire: Kalat’s
independence, creation of Pakistan
 On August 11 August 1947 Kalat became an independent state,
Meanwhile India and Pakistan also become independent on 15 and 14th
August respectively.
 Although Pakistan was a multi ethnic country, But Islam and Pan Islamic
ideologies were the main motivating factor to get separated. However,
two theory nation failed after Bangladesh got it’s independence after 24
years of creation of Pakistan, which was half of Pakistan.
 Some Historian’s argue that Pakistan’s creation was to serve British
interests against the Soviet Union as a buffer state to soviet influence in
the region as Soviet Union had already reached Afghanistan during that
time and Indian government was a socialist state in it’s early period
which was pro Soviet Union.
 Invasion: On April 11 1948, Pakistani forces, which had a powerful
army(Split of British Indian army) entered the state of Kalat(Balochistan)
and occupied the region till date and assimilated it into Pakistan.

8. Reflection: Ethnic tensions and British
colonialism legacy
 Favoring of one ethnic group over the other.
 Only the elite benefitting: giving power to certain classes in the region. (
Colonialism effect promoting capitalism)
 Promoting in group fighting: Lasbela vs Mengal, Sarwan and Jhalawan.
 Powerful tribal rulers conflicts with Kalat Rulers during British era
 Great game: Russian and British fight for dominance over the region
 Division of the Balochistan into three separate regions in Iran, Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
 Rise of Baloch Nationalism against the British Empire. Several tribes fought against
the British empire
 Sense of political consciousness resulting in Kalat National Party which would serve
Baloch Interests
 Short lived independence of around 8 months and final demise of the Baloch state
by Pakistan’s occupation of Balochistan on April 1948.

9. Overview: Modern Day Pakistan
 Main Ethnicities: Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, Gilgiti,
Mohajher, Hazera etc
 Mainly Sunni Muslim 75-90 percent, with Shia Muslims 5-10
percent and other religious minorities
 Pakistan has four provinces : Punjab, Sindh, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan
 Official languages: Urdu and English(Urdu is the mother
tongue of 10 percent population of Pakistan brought by
Indian Muslim Migrants who came after partition of India.
English has influence due to British colonialism)
 Pakistan throughout it’s history has been mostly ruled by the
military Generals, either taking part in elections or ruling as
military generals directly.
 Balochistan roughly form 5 percent of Pakistan’s population
and Baloch are roughly 4 percent of Pakistan, while
Balochistan is 44 percent of Pakistan’s total Land in area.

10. What are the root causes behind nationalism in the third World
countries? Baluchistan Conflict with Pakistan: Authoritative nature of
Pakistani State and Internal colonialism
 Balochistan Conflict is an ongoing conflict with Government of Pakistan over
Balochistan
 5 major conflicts: 1948, 1958,1963,1973 2004-Tilldate
1948:
Claim of Mir Ahmed Yar Khan. Forceful Accession. Violation of Kalat’s Sovereignty
Prince Abdul Karim’s Initiative against Pakistan and Pakistan army
1958:
Against one unit policy of west Pakistan: Every province should be given autonomy in terms
of their province and religion should be the sole basis for having 2 provinces only.
Guerrilla Wars
Was Arrested by Pakistani army and Killed

11. Baluchistan Conflict with Pakistan
1963:
 Sher Muhammad Bajrani Marri was leading this movement
 Pakistan army had increasing military presence in Balochistan
 Guerrilla warfare and insurgency continued
 Revenue of Sui Gas field
1973:
 Khair bux Marri was the main leader who lead the movement and created the
party Balochistan People’s liberation Front
 Dismissal of Provincial government
 Was against the Martial Law imposed in Pakistan
 Around 7000-9000 Baloch civilians died and 500 Pakistani military personnel died.
 Took asylum in Afghanistan and worked against Pakistan in Afghanistan

12. 2004-Onwards
 Charges on Nawab Buti. President Musharraf-Nawab Bugti clash
 Attack on IGFC, Killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti (Balochistan Republic party
founder) by the military at the age of 79
 Missing and killing of Ghulam Mohammad Baloch(Balochistan National Movement founder)
 In 2004, these events lead to series of protests in Balochistan by BSO. Awareness campaign
was for independence was carried out by organization. With announcement of Baloch
Liberation groups, Pakistani flag was removed in schools and all public domain. Increase
presence of military in Balochistan.
 Ethnic groups from other Pakistani provinces left Balochistan
 From 2004 onwards, around more than 20000 Baloch activists(including lawyers, teachers,
Doctors, poets, students etc.) have gone missing by ISI and several thousand mutilated dead
bodies have been found throughout Balochistan. Presently still, roughly more than 5000
missing person remain in Pakistani torture cells.
 Armed groups like BLA, BRA, BLF have also increased their presence in Balochistan and are
fighting for the independence of Balochistan.
 From 2004 onwards, around more than 20000 Baloch youth have died under the State. These
enforced disappearances have still not stopped and are continuing till today.

13. Balochistan on an international level
 Strategically an important location with close proximities with the gulf
nation.
 Huge Mineral resources deposit found. (Canadians and Australian
companies have start to mining in Sandik project and Riko dek)
 Oil and Gas reserves
 Gwadar port has one of the largest sea water deep port and has the
potential to be the next Dubai or Singapore in the region.
 CPEC: China Pakistan Economic corridor, an investment of around 60
billion USD is used to transport the Chinese goods in Pakistan.
 Mekran region’s Access to warm water can be used as military bases
for Super powers by locating their military.
 In recent years, an increased moral and political support from India
and Afghanistan on an international level in UN. In addition, India has
also been accused of providing funds to Baloch Armed groups.

14. Internal colonialism
 >> Internal colonialism >> Exploitation of resources from
Pakistan: For example, Sui gas field found in Balochistan in 1958,
has supplied gas to other provinces in Pakistan since it’s
inception but basic facilities of gas are still not provided by
Pakistani government to the indigenous Baloch people.
>>Punjabi Sunnis are the privileged class in Pakistan and they
govern the Pakistani State.
>> All the national wealth of the people is governed by the
central government and the military.
>> Systematic discrimancy: Low quotas in government jobs,
almost no representation in military and bureaucracy.
>> Mostly, People from other provinces work in the
international companies active in Balochistan. Example: Riko Diq,
Sandik Project and local companies like Sui gas company

15. Recent developments in the last 10
years:
 After escaping Pakistani persecution, Many Baloch leaders(Including party heads) took
political asylum in European countries
 Increased protests by exile Baloch leaders in Europe.
 International media has been disallowed to enter Balochistan
 Attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi by Baloch armed rebels
 Increased clashes between Pakistan army and armed groups
 Increased Presence of Military to guard CPEC (CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR) in
Pakistan
 Human rights violation( Enforced disappearance continues in the province)
 Baloch nationalist leaders like NP have also come to power in the province with the support
from State Army
 Central government took initiatives to open new colleges and universities, announced several
jobs for the locals, to strengthen Baloch Pakistani relationship
 Efforts to bring Baloch people in the main stream Pakistani society

16. Root causes of increased nationalism in Balochistan & State
Making, State breaking and State failing
 Negligence from Central government: Balochistan is Pakistan’s poorest province and has one of the
lowest literacy rates in the world. Balochistan lacks basic facilities of health and education.
 No freedom of Speech: Increased military present in Balochistan to suppress the general public by use of
force.
 Election process has always been influenced by the military establishment: No democratic government
has ever been chosen. (Recently Quddos bezingo with less than 500 votes in 2013 election was
appointed as the chief minister)
 Revenue generated by the province is either taken by corrupt politicians or mostly given to the center.
 Pakistan is like the Yugoslavia in the region, composed of different ethnicities each having their own
national identity and history. In times of Nation states, it’s hard to maintain national unity especially in a
third world country.
 Balochi not given Official language status in the province
>> The above issues reflect Pakistani state’s failure: As Pakistani state was based on Pan Islamic ideas, it has
already gone through a division(State breaking) with the separation of Bangladesh. In recent times again, we
can argue Pakistani state has weaken, where there is no democracy and basic rights are not given to the
people, it is again going through state breaking process with rising nationalism of Baloch, Pashtuns and
Sindhi's in the region based on ethno-nationalist ideas.