– Balochistan has witnessed large-scale protests calling for greater rights and highlighting human rights violations, resource exploitation, and lack of basic amenities.
– The protests have been met with a crackdown by security forces, leading to fatalities, detentions, and a sharp increase in prices of necessities.
– Despite negotiations and calls to cease protests, previous experiences suggest that more protests may resume soon.
– Balochistan has a long history of political turmoil, economic neglect, and discontent with the government’s counter-insurgency strategy.
– China’s involvement in Balochistan through the CPEC project raises concerns about possible militarisation of the Gwadar port and displacement of locals.
– The CPEC has not brought tangible gains to the Baloch people, leading to growing anxiety and resentment in the region.
– The insurgency in Balochistan, along with the political movement led by women, highlights the challenges Pakistan faces in building a nation state purely based on religion.