Opinion | The Continuous Struggle of Balochistan Against Oppression

The continuous struggle of Balochistan, one of the provinces of Pakistan, remains unabated. Balochistan is a constant struggle of victimhood, disappearances, extrajudicial killings, curbing liberty and freedom of speech and expression, and above all, making its people live like beasts in their own land.

Balochistan has long been involved in conflict, struggles for autonomy, and severe human rights issues, which serve as an eye-opener for the world today. Balochistan is a very old province in Pakistan. It has a vast area and a history in which Pakistan has no rightful role to rule. This is simply subjugation. Nestled in rugged mountains and largely desert, Balochistan was historically seen as a marginal “no man’s land,” often overlooked due to its harsh terrain and sparse population. However, beneath this seeming neglect lies a complex history and a persistent insurgency driven by the Baloch ethnic minority, who have never fully accepted the region’s incorporation into Pakistan.

For the last six decades, Balochistan has been carrying out a struggle against the Pakistan government rooted in demands for autonomy, justice, and control over local resources. The Baloch people, organized into 18 major tribes, each led by their own sardars (chieftains) with militias, have resisted what they perceive as Punjabi dominance, exploitation of their rich natural resources, and political marginalization. Despite being Pakistan’s largest province geographically, Balochistan suffers from the lowest health, education, and living standards in the country.

The Pakistani state’s response to the Baloch insurgency has been heavily militarized and often brutal. The presence of security forces has transformed much of the province into a securitized zone, with widespread checkpoints, patrols, and intense surveillance regulating civilian life. The militarization extends beyond combat, deeply impacting daily life—schools, hospitals, markets, and roads are frequently controlled or occupied by military forces, creating an atmosphere of intimidation rather than safety. Curfews, security lockdowns, and isolation of neighbourhoods have become routine, severely disrupting education, livelihoods, and social interaction.

One of the most harrowing aspects of this conflict is the widespread use of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture by state security forces. Thousands of Baloch political activists, students, journalists, and ordinary citizens have been abducted, with many never seen again. Bodies of disappeared persons are often found bearing marks of severe torture and mutilation. This “kill and dump” policy, as it is known, has generated a climate of fear and silence, undermining trust in the government and suppressing dissent. Human rights organizations, both local and international, have documented these abuses extensively, but media censorship and a media blackout in the region have kept much of this hidden from global view.

The militarization and repression have not only caused loss of life and psychological trauma but have also led to massive displacement within Balochistan. Families have been uprooted from their traditional livelihoods in agriculture and trade, creating long-term socio-economic instability. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks of violence, including “honour” killings sanctioned by tribal jirgas (councils), which operate as parallel judicial systems outside formal state law. These jirgas often perpetuate patriarchal norms and violence with impunity.

In recent years, the situation has worsened with intensified military operations and crackdowns on peaceful protests and activism. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, hundreds of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings were reported, with activists, students, and human rights defenders targeted. Peaceful protests have been met with police gunfire, arrests, and bans on public gatherings. Prominent activists have been detained under controversial laws, and family members of activists have faced collective punishment through detentions and harassment.

The Pakistan government’s justification for its heavy-handed approach is often framed in terms of counter-terrorism and preserving national unity. However, many argue that the root causes of the conflict—political exclusion, economic exploitation, and denial of autonomy—remain unaddressed. The province’s vast natural resources, including gas, coal, and minerals, are exploited largely for the benefit of other regions, while the local population remains impoverished and deprived of basic services such as healthcare, education, clean water, and electricity.

The conflict in Balochistan is part of a broader pattern of ethnic and regional tensions within Pakistan. The state’s approach contrasts sharply with democratic, civilian-centric governance models seen in neighboring regions such as Jammu and Kashmir in India. While India promotes inclusive governance, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation despite ongoing conflicts, Pakistan’s model in Balochistan has been characterized by military suppression, censorship, and neglect of socio-economic development.

International awareness and response to the Balochistan crisis remain limited. Pakistan’s media blackout and strict control over information flow have kept much of the human rights abuses underreported. Despite this, voices from human rights organizations, activists, and civil society groups continue to call for independent investigations into enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other violations. They demand the dismantling of parallel justice systems like jirgas, protection of human rights defenders, and restoration of basic civil liberties.

The humanitarian situation in Balochistan is dire. According to reports from the United Nations Development Programme and other international bodies, over 71% of the population lives below the poverty line, with widespread deprivation in healthcare, education, sanitation, and access to clean water. These conditions fuel discontent and strengthen demands for autonomy or independence among the Baloch people.

Despite the repression, Baloch resistance persists. The movement is fragmented, with various groups and elusive leaders, but the underlying demand for justice, autonomy, and recognition remains strong. The ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of lives, including prominent leaders like Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a former Pakistani minister and tribal leader who became a symbol of the struggle.

Balochistan’s history of forced annexation, resistance against Pakistani rule, ongoing militarization, human rights violations, and economic exploitation paints a complex and tragic picture. The struggle of the Baloch people for autonomy, justice, and recognition remains one of the most underreported and misunderstood conflicts in South Asia. Addressing their legitimate grievances and ensuring the protection of their rights is essential for peace and development in the region.

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