The natural potential that lies beneath the surface in the land of Balochistan is easily matched with the multitude of problems on the surface: these include sectarianism, separatism, ethnicity and xenophobia – not to mention military-related issues. The province, a repository of natural resources, has seen an increasingly violent spate of brutality in the garb of terrorism, ethnic cleansing and sectarianism. Being part of the federation of Pakistan, the Baloch people deserve way better than what they are getting now. And this goes for all the people, whether the native Baloch or the Hazara, a settler community in the province.
The incident of the cold blooded murder of Hazara community the other day, the second of its nature recently, has taken the veil off shallow claims of the government about the security situation in the province. This time it happened in Quetta, not in any far off place where provision of security might be a relatively tough call. The government seems to be ceding ground to the militant elements. Banned organisations, like the Sipah-e-Sahaba are still functional for all intents and purposes and spread their malaise of hatred and violence as and when they want. Though the first such attack would have worked as a wake-up call for the government, it seemed to tarry on its feet and has left them on their own.
While the government cannot be handed a clean chit as far as fulfilling its responsibilities are concerned, it is also not entirely responsible for this situation. Other factors have chipped in as well – the Hazara community’s disregard of the security apparatus, travelling without any private security arrangements, and Sipah-e-Sahaba’s hate-spreading activities against the Shia are but only a few others. Another thorny issue is the status of the settlers. Most native Baloch consider them outsiders even though they have been living there for decades and, in certain cases, for over a century. This has to change along with a complete ban on hate-spewing religious organisations (sectarian fundamental organisations to be precise). On its part, the government needs to impose its writ in a holistic manner while allowing for dissent in opinion, a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.
