Baluchistan Nationalist Movement and Unrest in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is one of the most complex multi-ethnic societies in the developing Islamic world. Each of the ethnic groups that now comprise Pakistan has very distinctive identity, folklore, history and political interests. However, Pakistan's nation builders were not alive to the ethnic question and failed to integrate ethnic groups into a Pakistani nationhood through recognised principles of autonomy, representation and empowerment. Instead, a non-representative, military-led authoritarian system suppressed legitimate regional and ethnic aspirations, relying too heavily on Islam and Pakistan ideology (two nation theory) to forge a sense of common nationhood. It didn't work: since the 1950s there have been four major insurrections against the central government by Baluch nationalists. Although the Baluch national question has its roots in the colonial era, it emerged as a significant political and security issue because an over-centralised and non-representative power system couldn't address the issue of ethnic diversity. Baluchistan is now a hub of interests for regional and major powers.

The Baloch Ethnic Movement: a Study of Ethno-nationalist Conflict

“…Where authors such as Jaffrelot (2014) and Jalal (1995Jalal ( & 2014 focus on the impacts of ethnicity and nationalism on the Pakistani state as a whole, Akhtar 2011Siddiqi (2012) and Khan (2005) focus their analysis on the ethno-nationalist movements themselves. Akhtar (2011), Siddiqi (2012) and Khan (2005) also put the Pakistani state in opposition to the ethno-nationalist movements, but their analyses focus on how ethnonationalist movements have adapted and responded to a Pakistani state that aims to centralize power.…”

“…Nasreen Akhtar (2011) moves through the history of Baloch nationalism as it has evolved in tandem with Pakistani state actions. Akhtar (2011) argues that the key issue is a lack of integration of Baloch ethnicity into the national power structures. The central government's unwillingness to give up "any measure of cultural and political autonomy have now turned against the Pakistani state" (Akhtar 2011, 126).…”

“…As such Akhtar (2011) serves as a useful resource that balances a multitude of perspectives and provides good insight into the major external factors that are at play in regards to Baloch nationalism. Khan (2005) follows a similar approach to Akhtar (2011), by focusing on how the Pakistani state has operated in tandem with ethno-nationalist movements. For Khan, "the interventionist nature of the modern state and its penetration of almost every aspect of individual life make it a focal point of all struggles" (Khan 2005, 29).…”