QUETTA: Baloch rights activist Shabbir Baloch has strongly criticized the prevailing political structure in Balochistan, claiming that the region’s deteriorating situation is largely due to the minimal level of youth engagement for the progressive Balochistan, as well as the dominance of elitist politics.
He further focused on that there is alarming absence of meaningful engagement with the youth in Balochistan. “The root cause of the province’s instability lies in the fact that our politicians have never been representatives of the people, but rather the sons of sardars, nawabs, and feudal elites,” he stated.
Furthermore, Baloch further criticized the government’s approach towards political grievances, stating that the failure to involve young people in decision-making processes and to provide them with platforms for expression has led to increasing frustration and alienation. This vacuum, he warned, has often been exploited by separatist groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which recruits disenfranchised youth by capitalizing on their sense of injustice and marginalization.
However, the BLA, designated as a terrorist organization by the government, has been active in carrying out attacks on security forces and infrastructure, claiming to fight for Baloch rights and independence.
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Shabbir Baloch urged the government to engage directly with the youth and the broader population. “We need a political culture that is inclusive, democratic, and rooted in the realities of Balochistan,” he mentioned.
