Nimra Khalid
In September 2026, militant attacks in Balochistan claimed the lives of dozens of police and army personnel, once again highlighting the persistent security challenges in the province. The Balochistan crisis is widely understood through a security lens. However, it is important to understand historical, political, economic, and governance challenges as well. Sustainable peace requires addressing these interlinked issues together.
Balochistan holds an important geo-strategic position in the region. It lies at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, and faces the Strait of Hormuz (PIDE, 2024). Before 1947, Balochistan wasn’t a single province but a collection of states. Kharan, Lasbela, and Makran joined Pakistan, but Kalat, which was the most powerful state, initially sought to remain independent. Following months of negotiations and political pressure, the Khan of Kalat signed the Instrument of Accession to Pakistan in March 1948 (Baloch, 1987). According to Baloch, the accession created resentment among sections of society towards the government of Pakistan, which led to a series of insurgencies.
Political stakeholders have expressed concern over the erosion of provincial autonomy, particularly with respect to governance and the way democratic institutions perform their functions. Balochistan National Party has shown its reservations about Balochistan’s share in the Saindak copper-gold project, which has fallen to just 2% while 50% was allocated to Chinese stakeholders and the remaining 48% to the federal government (HRCP, 2025). Balochistan politics has been characterized by debates over provincial autonomy and the relationship between federal and provincial authorities (Akhtar, 2019). Baloch nationalists have raised their voices about the distribution of resources and their representation in national decision-making processes (Siddique, 2021). The 18th Constitutional Amendment increased provincial autonomy and was expected to strengthen provincial capacity; however, concerns remain regarding the implementation of these reforms and their impact on governance in Balochistan. Political marginalization has had significant economic consequences.
According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index, multidimensional poverty is highest in Balochistan and lowest in Punjab (UNDP Pakistan, 2024). Private sector contribution to Balochistan’s economic growth is limited. This is mainly because of a lack of a conducive environment in which the private sector operates. Limited technical training, alongside inadequate infrastructure, remains the major constraint for Balochistan. According to the CPEC-related project, there are shortages of skilled labour (Rasheed et al., 2019). Workers in Balochistan are highly concentrated in low- and informal jobs due to a lack of technical skills and knowledge, so most of the vacancies are filled by foreign workers or workers from other provinces. The Hub Industrial Estate illustrates this challenge, as it has generated limited employment opportunities for local communities. (PIDE, 2024). Closure of the Iranian and Chaman borders has severely affected trade. Before closure, the livelihood of thousands of people depended upon these trade routes.
Balochistan has experienced a series of insurgencies since it acceded to Pakistan. Militant organizations have targeted security personnel, civilians, infrastructure, and development projects. Recent attacks in 2026 demonstrate that the security situation remains volatile. In response, counter-terrorism operations have been conducted. The state faces genuine security challenges from militant organizations, making counter-terrorism efforts necessary. However, long-term effectiveness depends on resolving the wider political, economic, and governance-related challenges. In addition to militant attacks, Balochistan is also experiencing a grave issue of enforced disappearances. The Human Rights Commission has expressed grave concern over the human rights crisis confronting the province and noted a disturbing pattern of shrinking civic space in Balochistan (HRCP, 2025). At the same time, allegations of rights violations and enforced disappearances remain contested issues requiring transparent investigation and due process. Insecurity has affected business activity and investment, led to a decline in education and healthcare access, eroded public confidence, and reduced the level of public safety.
Trust needs to be built between the state and local communities to foster a healthy relationship. Democratic institutions should be strengthened, and provinces should be given an opportunity for meaningful political participation. Direct investment is needed in infrastructure, healthcare, and the education sector. It should be ensured that local communities can benefit from development projects and natural resources. Human rights concerns raised by credible institutions should be addressed via transparent investigations. In addition to technical skills, accessible and quality education should be expanded. Long-term peace in Balochistan depends on coordinated efforts.
The Balochistan crisis cannot be interpreted solely through the lens of security; its persistence reflects a complex interplay of historical, governance, political, socio-economic, and security challenges. Addressing these challenges requires more than short-term responses. Lasting peace depends on strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring effective governance, expanding economic opportunities, protecting human rights, and promoting a peaceful dialogue alongside continued efforts to maintain security. The future of Balochistan will be shaped not only by how effectively violence is addressed, but also by how successfully trust, equity, and inclusion are restored.