The massacre in Balochistan’s Musakhel district, where at least 23 passengers were brutally killed after being identified and offloaded from buses and trucks, marks another grim chapter in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with terrorism. It seems militants in Balochistan have once again unleashed their violence, this time targeting individuals based solely on their ethnic identity. The victims, all from Punjab, were executed in cold blood – a horrifying act that has sent shockwaves across the country. This atrocity echoes the tragedy in April when passengers were similarly offloaded, kidnapped, and killed once their Punjabi identities were confirmed. Such senseless violence is an affront to the very idea of Pakistan and cannot – and must not – be tolerated. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s condemnation of the attack and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s promise to bring the perpetrators to justice are necessary responses, but words alone are insufficient. There must be a decisive and sustained crackdown against these terrorist elements, including the BLA and its worrying reported nexus with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These groups, which thrive on violence and division, must be confronted with an iron fist and the state must demonstrate both its resolve and its capability to eliminate the menace they represent. There can be no compromise when it comes to the security of our people – no matter where they live and where they come from.
However, addressing the immediate threat posed by terrorist organizations must not obscure the underlying issues that have plagued Balochistan for decades. The BLA and other such groups do not represent the Baloch people, nor do their acts of terror justify sidelining the legitimate grievances of Balochistan’s citizens. The roots of this situation run deep, nourished by years of mistrust, marginalization, and unaddressed demands for rights and autonomy. A military solution for terrorists does not equate to a military solution for the Baloch and it is critical to distinguish between the two. The genuine grievances of the Baloch people must be acknowledged and addressed through dialogue and engagement, not through force. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), now finds himself at a crucial juncture. While some doubt his ability to bridge the gap between the state and Baloch nationalists, it is worth recalling that it was under the PPP’s government in 2009 that the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package was introduced. It was also during the PPP’s tenure that the 18th Amendment was passed, ensuring a degree of provincial autonomy long sought by smaller provinces. These achievements demonstrate that the PPP has the political capital and experience to initiate a meaningful dialogue with Baloch nationalist leaders.
The vision of Pakistan as a federation is one where all provinces are given equal rights and autonomy. The 18th Amendment was a significant step toward realizing this vision, but much remains to be done. For this, on the one hand, the state needs to take steps to alleviate Baloch grievances and on the other, the Baloch need to openly and loudly condemn the BLA’s terrorism while the state works to counter such violence. The province needs peace and that peace won’t come if it is not for everyone living there regardless of ethnicity.
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