ast month, three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif visited Quetta. The next we knew, over a dozen influential politicians from Balochistan had joined the ranks of the PML-N.

This was seen as an important move on the political chessboard of the region, and the PPP had to respond. Well, it responded by holding its 56^th Foundation Day meeting in Quetta — on November 30. All these developments indicate a renewed focus on Balochistan by the two key political parties of the country.

The PPP’s rally in Quetta, a strategic move, was not just a show of strength but also a clear signal from the party leadership to re-establish its presence and influence in the region. It was especially significant considering Balochistan’s oft-overlooked status in national politics. The PPP’s top leaders, including Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, used the occasion to articulate their vision for the province, in a clear attempt to resonate with the locals’ sentiments and issues.

The rally also served as a stage for addressing national issues, positioning the PPP as a party with a comprehensive agenda, not just for Balochistan but for Pakistan as a whole.

The political manoeuvers in Balochistan have often involved tactics such as bringing in crowds from other parts of the country to fill rally grounds. For the PPP’s Quetta gathering, supporters were brought in from Sindh which, while a standard practice in political rallies, drew criticism for not reflecting genuine support of the local population.

However, the rally’s impact goes beyond mere political posturing; it’s part of a larger strategy by the PPP to regain lost ground in Balochistan, a province that has historically oscillated in its political allegiances. The PPP’s emphasis on Balochistan in its recent rally is a testament to the province’s growing political and strategic importance.

The PPP’s history in Balochistan is marked by a series of complex and often controversial decisions. In 1973, the PPP’s move to dismiss the then National Awami Party government in Balochistan had led to a military operation that reshaped the province’s political dynamics for decades. Despite this turbulent history, the PPP has been instrumental in initiating reforms benefitting Balochistan, notably the 18^th Amendment, the 7^th National Finance Commission Award, and the Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan package. These initiatives aimed at enhancing provincial autonomy and ensuring a fairer distribution of resources and were welcomed by the people of Balochistan.

The Quetta rally mainly offered rhetoric instead of concrete solutions to Balochistan’s challenges. The PPP leaders did not announce a clear roadmap for resolving the violent conflict in Balochistan, which is a prerequisite for any major development in the province.

Furthermore, the event saw several turncoat politicians joining the PPP. Locally called ‘electables,’ these influential politicians change parties around every general election in pursuit of their interests. The PPP, just like the PML-N, has no qualms about accepting them in its fold.

This mirrors a broader trend in Pakistani politics, where regional development often takes a backseat to the quest for political power and influence. The primary focus of the PML-N and the PPP appears to be on securing National Assembly and Senate seats. Both parties are gunning for 5-6 seats in the National Assembly and 10-11 Senate seats in the 2024 and 2027 elections respectively. That is the main focus of the political activities of both these parties.

cepticism around political parties and their promises is palpable among the people of Balochistan. They have seen very little tangible improvements in their lives over the decades.

Ehtisham Baloch, a university student in Quetta, echoes a common sentiment when he says that the people of Balochistan “have not forgotten the PPP’s bad governance during the years 2008-13.”

Abid Kakar, a small-scale businessman, seconds him: “The PPP does not care about Balochistan, its people and their sufferings. They only care about power. For them, the common people do not matter. That’s why I will not vote for the party.”

As political rivalries in Balochistan intensify, the real issues faced by the locals often remain sidelined. Neither the PPP nor the PML-N seem genuinely invested in the development of the province. The common perception is that it will likely be “business as usual” regardless of which party comes into power.

There’s a need for policies and initiatives that prioritise genuine development and empowerment of the Baloch people. Only through a commitment to addressing the root causes of underdevelopment and political neglect can there be hope for a prosperous and equitable future for the province.

The future of Balochistan hinges on the ability of its political leaders to rise above partisan interests and focus on the long-term development of the region. The coming months and years will be crucial in determining whether the political parties, particularly the PPP and the PML-N, can align their strategies with the aspirations and needs of the Baloch people, or whether Balochistan will continue to be mired in a cycle of political neglect and underdevelopment.

History tells us that it is futile to hope for a major change in the attitude of the parties whose mettle has already been tested. The disillusionment among the youth and the general populace suggests that hope for a significant change from established political entities such as the PPP and the PML-N remains slim.

The author is based in Islamabad. He is also a contributing writer for Nikkei Asia. His X handle is @iAdnanAamir