Plagued with the curse of being born in Balochistan, the youth goes through several stages of suffering; first through a backward sociopolitical narrative set by the government and media, then via ethnic profiling such as calling them ‘not Muslim enough’, and finally through complete alienation by the Pak society because of their progressive, secular mindset … writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
Pen is mightier than the sword – and it is precisely this that the Pakistani leadership is gatekeeping from its citizens. The Baloch youth though are the anomalies in the system, striving for education in the hyper-religious, corrupt Pakistan, thereby challenging its supremacist Punjabi legacy.
Contrary to popular belief, Balochistan is the hub of seekers where curiosity is praised and questions are welcomed. Libraries are crowded all days of the week. This thirst for knowledge has created a new generation of “freethinkers” that the government is bent on demonizing for fear of an increasing population that may educate themselves enough to see through the establishment’s facade.
Plagued with the curse of being born in Balochistan, the youth goes through several stages of suffering; first through a backward sociopolitical narrative set by the government and media, then via ethnic profiling such as calling them ‘not Muslim enough’, and finally through complete alienation by the Pak society because of their progressive, secular mindset. ‘Otherisation’ and the seven-decade oppression of the Baloch, living as second-class citizens, has triggered a sense of nationalism hoped to liberate them from the elites’ private fiefdom known as Pakistan.
The establishment’s pushback on Baloch emergence through military crackdowns, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and fake encounters, among other means of subjugation have had an opposite and equally harsh reaction of late. The liberation “freedom” fighters tied up with youth associations this year launching grueling payback to Pak forces deployed in Balochistan.
The Pak Army since has raised numerous forces to declare an absolute war against Balochistan. One such unit, the so-called CTD (Counter Terrorism Department) limits gatherings and keeps close surveillance on everyone, looking for reasons to eliminate them. A recent example is that of the young Balaach Mola Baksh who died at the hands of the CTD in the Kech District this November. The event was the final domino of the public’s patience. The common man is demanding justice, they do not want an “inquiry committee”, which is a misnomer as the military involved in Baloch killings has historically enjoyed impunity.
The scenes from Baksh’s funeral on December 1 were unlike any congregation. The Pak Army’s greatest fear came true when locals looked past religious and sectarian divides and attended the funeral reciting anti-government slogans. When the spilling of Baloch blood is given the cold shoulder by the mainstream parties and media, the responsibility to save the people falls upon the local youth. But when they take up arms to seek justice, they are called militants!
While political leaders should be standing up for Balochistan’s grievances, they are suggesting a further crackdown! Jan Achakzai, Balochistan’s caretaker Information Minister went so far as to suggest a set of counterterrorism measures, including offering the U.S. “drone bases to target militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan”. In other words, since Balochistan (and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) have witnessed an upsurge in attacks on military personnel, Achakzai validates drone attacks branding the innocent Baloch terrorists!
Instead of owning up to the mistake of ignoring the growing resentment against the government in Balochistan, he has been parroting that Pakistan’s ‘two neighbours’ are the reason for terrorism! Talk about delusional! Such digressions from the actual problem perpetuated by Pakistan since its takeover of Balochistan have marshaled immense domestic opposition within the Baloch civil society.
Political parties arrive during the voting season to woo electables that change loyalties opportunistically and fight among themselves without defining an effective plan to alleviate the troubles of Balochistan. Some commit to introducing solar panels and bringing Balochistan to par with Punjab, while others swear to seek Chinese assistance for development.
What outsiders forget about Baloch youth is that they associate with the reformist intelligentsia more than their counterparts in the rest of the urban Pakistan, and so cannot be fooled. They have little appetite for political games today when Pakistan has sold itself out to China and other “friends”. Peaceful protests against enforced disappearances by the ‘Haq Do Tehreek’ (Give Rights) movement of Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch are not producing results. Human rights organizations too have failed to uphold justice. What is missing is a nationalist movement for Balochistan’s rights.
Since Pakistan has been quiet on brutalities against Balochistan, the matter has aroused passion among the youth. Ahead of the polls, the government has signed up for trouble. Balaach Mola Baksh’s tragic death has enabled the youth movement to gain greater clout. A diplomatic demarche now cannot erase Pak cruelties or convince the educated Baloch youth to drop their ambitions against Pakistan.