Whenever Balochistan is mentioned, a beautiful panorama comes to mind: enchanting valleys, towering mountains, peaceful towns, the Makran Coastal Highway, Gwadar Port and the city of Gwadar, the snow-covered mountains of Quetta in winter, an atmosphere of silence and serenity, and Ziarat-the beautiful place where Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (RA) spent the last days of his life. This is the region of Pakistan that is blessed with immense natural beauty and abundant natural resources-the land of beautiful people: Balochistan.
Balochistan became part of Pakistan in 1948 and was granted provincial status in 1970. In terms of area, it is Pakistan’s largest province, and in terms of population, the smallest. Due to its vast expanse, the population density is low. When we speak of Balochistan, its beautiful regions come to mind: Quetta, Sibi, Kalat, Makran, Nasirabad, Rakhshan, Zhob, Loralai, and Bolan. Every corner, every place, and every region has its own distinct identity, culture, traditions, and civilization.
Geographically, Balochistan holds immense importance-both strategically and geopolitically. It is a region that connects Pakistan to the world. To the west lies Iran; to the south, the Arabian Sea (with an approximately 770-kilometer-long coastline); to the northwest, Afghanistan; to the northeast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and to the east, Punjab and Sindh. Overall, Balochistan constitutes approximately 44 to 45 percent of Pakistan’s total land area.
In terms of natural beauty, the Sulaiman Range, Kirthar Range, Toba Kakar Range, Central Brahui Range, the mountains of Taftan, and the Chagai region add to the charm of this land. Ethnically, the population comprises approximately 55 to 60 percent Baloch, 30 to 35 percent Pashtun, 5 to 7 percent Brahui, 2 to 3 percent Hazara community, and 3 to 5 percent other ethnic groups.
All of this is true in its own place, but in recent years there has been a severe increase in lawlessness in Balochistan. The elements and factors involved in this unrest have now become clear to everyone. It is an established fact that the strings of these terrorist networks are being pulled from Afghanistan and India, with links extending to Israel and the United States. The fundamental reason is that after the year 2000, an organization was established in the name of the so-called “rights” of the people of Balochistan, called the BLA (Baloch Liberation Army). In reality, the BLA is a puppet terrorist organization that, under the guise of Baloch rights, is spreading chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Balochistan.
If we review the past 26 years, it becomes evident that since the establishment of this organization, every infrastructure and development project initiated for the welfare and progress of the Baloch people has been consistently targeted. With China’s cooperation, Pakistan made Balochistan a hub of major development projects, but unfortunately, every such project was deliberately sabotaged.
A closer look reveals that the so-called leaders and ringleaders of this movement-who cloak themselves in Baloch nationalism-are comfortably settled in Switzerland, India, or other foreign countries. They appear on Indian television channels, while on the ground ordinary Baloch people are being killed. These leaders live abroad; their children receive quality education; they are often unfamiliar with the real issues of Balochistan, and many have never even seen Balochistan. They lure poor and vulnerable youth into terrorist groups with money and false slogans, spreading destruction in the name of a fabricated cause.
The most dangerous aspect of this movement is the use of women. In Baloch and Pashtun history, women have always been accorded honor, respect, and dignity. There is no tradition in Baloch society of using women in this manner. Yet these so-called standard-bearers are pushing women to the forefront. Figures such as Karima Baloch, Mahrang Baloch, or others are presented as symbols, but they do not represent genuine Baloch traditions. The reality of this wrongful exploitation of women by terrorist elements is evident to all.
As far as legitimate rights are concerned, they are obtained through constitutional and national institutions. The National Assembly exists; provincial governments, a Chief Minister, and various political parties are active in Balochistan. However, instead of adopting constitutional paths, these elements chose to act on the directives of foreign powers-particularly India. In the past, the arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav exposed external interference. In addition, certain elements operating from Iranian Balochistan have also played a role in destabilization. All these internal and external factors together are fueling chaos in the province.
However, this unrest cannot destabilize a nuclear power. Just a few months ago, Pakistan reduced the arrogance of a much larger enemy to dust. During Operation Sindoor, the reality of the forces exposed to the world is the same reality behind the killings being carried out in Balochistan through terrorists today. The government must establish a comprehensive and effective strategic mechanism. The Pakistan Army has made unparalleled sacrifices-thousands of soldiers have embraced martyrdom for the survival and honor of this land. Now is the time to ensure that no more of our youth fall victim to these terrorist groups.
Today, with modern technology, terrorists can be tracked and eliminated in every corner. In attacks carried out in various areas of Balochistan in late January and early February, innocent people-including Baloch civilians-were brutally killed inside their homes, a horrifying tale of barbarity. This is an extremely painful reality, and finding solutions to it is imperative.
India, which failed to defeat Pakistan in direct warfare, is now sponsoring these elements through indirect means. No patriotic Pakistani can accept the ongoing unrest in Balochistan or the killing of Punjabis and others based on identity cards. This violence must stop. We are all Pakistanis. The ideological state established in 1947 was founded in the name of Islam. Among the world’s 57 Islamic countries, Pakistan is the only nuclear power-this is a great blessing from Allah Almighty. Today, Pakistan holds a unique position globally in strategic and defense terms. Countries around the world are entering into defense agreements with Pakistan. Our armed forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force, have proven their capabilities with modern equipment. The success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos stands as an unparalleled example for the world.
A few thousand terrorists cannot be allowed to roam freely. The government must adopt a firm and decisive strategy to completely eradicate these groups. Just as Sri Lanka eliminated the Tamil insurgents in the late 1990s, Pakistan must act with the same resolve. Pakistan belongs to all of us, and for us there is nothing greater than Pakistan. Every hand raised against Pakistan must be broken, and every hostile voice must be silenced. Pakistan comes first.
The government and security institutions must, with full seriousness, block every internal and external route that supports terrorism. The blood spilled on this land is a collective tragedy that must be brought to an end. For Pakistan’s survival, we all must work together-because if Pakistan exists, we exist; without Pakistan, we are nothing. Ask those who are without a homeland.
Given the long and strategic border with Afghanistan, the government should reassess relations with Afghanistan and take every necessary step to safeguard Pakistan’s interests, ensuring that Afghan soil is not used to destabilize Pakistan. Every factor must be evaluated in a technical and strategic manner, because for us, Pakistan comes first.
May Allah Almighty keep Pakistan in His protection.
Pakistan Zindabad. Long live the Pakistan Armed Forces.
