QUETTA: The origins of the modern-day insurgency in Balochistan can be traced back to a pivotal event, the assassination of Justice Nawaz Mari in 2000. During a recent episode of the program Jirga hosted by journalist Saleem Safi. Justice Nawaz Mari, a respected figure in Balochistan, was known for his principled stance on governance and rule of law.
The insurgency in Balochistan continues to cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s internal security, with growing concern over the violent role played by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the United Nations, and multiple international watchdogs.
The BLA, founded in the early 2000s, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks targeting state institutions, security forces, and infrastructure across Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan.
The group’s violent activities include bombings, targeted killings, and assaults on Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The organization, widely believed to be funded and trained by external hostile intelligence agencies, espouses a separatist ideology and has consistently aimed to destabilize the province and its strategic importance to Pakistan.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s security forces have launched successive intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against the group, claiming major successes in dismantling its operational infrastructure. However, sporadic attacks still occur, underlining the deep-rooted nature of the insurgency.
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The federal government has reasserted its commitment to restoring peace in Balochistan through a combination of hard and soft approaches, including dialogue with peaceful elements and action against violent actors.
