It is always interesting to analyze Balochistan from geographical and historical imperatives. To understand the external and internal challenges that the province Balochistan faces, one still needs to comprehend the broader picture of evolving world order affecting this part of the world. In other words, simply, we cannot escape from the harsh realities of geographical and historical imperatives of international politics affecting the province Balochistan in general and Pakistan in particular. Due to its sheer value bearing geopolitical and geostrategic significance, the province Balochistan must bring both opportunities and challenges. It is only a matter of time how this could be translated.
We all know Balochistan makes about 44% of Pakistan in land mass, thus it naturally becomes the largest province. It has 1468km porous border with Afghanistan in the North and 900km border with Iran, Sistan-Balochistan in the west. Also, it has about 800km coastline stretching up to the Arabian Sea in its South. Balochistan is located in a geopolitical crush zone. Due to its geopolitical and geostrategic significance, almost all major powers from the Persian empire under the reign of Nadir Shah Afshar, famously known as the Napolean of Persia, Peter the Great of the Russian empire, the Great Britain, the Soviet Union and, of course, the US in the more contemporary time focused on this region.
Regional players such as China, India, and a number of Middle Eastern countries are also interested in this part of the world
All other regional players such as China, India, and a number of Middle Eastern countries are also interested in this part of the world for a variety of geo-economic, geopolitical and geo-strategic reasons. Brig Agha Ahmad Gul, the former head of BTTN and a renowned intellectual having extensive knowledge on Balochistan’s history and geography often quote three Balochistan: the Kalati-Balochistan famously referring to the time of Nadir Shah Afshar and Ahmed Shah Durrani in the middle of 18th century, the British-Balochistan when the Britian had ruled this part of the world since 1839, and the contemporary Balochistan after partition of the sub-continent since 1970 when Balochistan re-emerged and gained its status as a province.
Today, we have more than 15000 government schools, a number of colleges and more than 10 universities
Therefore, from 1947 till 1970 during the famous General Ayub Khan’s one-unit period, Balochistan was more famously called, the Balochistan States Union (BSU). Initially, we had only a small number of schools, colleges and no national level university until 1970. Today, we have more than 15000 government schools, a number of colleges and more than 10 universities. Of course, the University of Balochistan is the oldest university while BUITEMS remains one of the leading universities with an increasing international ranking offering both research and development programs of high-quality standard. Their students, like most of you all, have remarkable potential to demonstrate research and development endeavors.
When it comes to evolving centrality of Balochistan, the province does not only provide route to the landlocked countries such as Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics up to the Arabian Sea for a variety of trade and economic activities, but it also provides a short-cut route to China potentially avoiding the Strait of Malacca dilemma where China with its competing strategies with the US could be strangled thereby slowing down the Chinese rise and dominance in Asia.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as broader part of China’s grand strategy of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one such opportunity
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as broader part of China’s grand strategy of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one such opportunity for the Chinese as an alternative against the US grand strategy of Offshore Balancing. It provides an alternative shortcut route to the Chinese increasing economic and trade activities. It does not only benefit the Chinese, but potentially benefit the people of Balochistan, Pakistan. Thereby, the success of CPEC can be argued as a linchpin for socio-economic progress of Balochistan including other parts of Pakistan if it is successfully initiated, managed and implemented with sustainable strategy.
Major powers competing strategies and their geopolitical interests in the region are influencing our policies and strategies
Since both China and the US are in a consistent struggle for competition in Asia and since both the leading powers are interested in this part of the world, their competition, influences, and the struggle for dominance will trickle down and affect the smaller and the middle powers of the region. Therefore, Balochistan cannot be ignored. As mentioned earlier, we are lying in the geopolitical and geostrategic crush zone. Major powers competing strategies and their geopolitical interests in the region are influencing our policies and strategies on how and why we need to quickly accommodate ourselves to the evolving changing world order.
The fundamental principle of international politics teaches us that there is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy
The fundamental principle of international politics teaches us that there is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy. It is only the national interest that matters the most. It is a reality how the world works as it is, not the way we like the world to be. Those who closely read and understand international relations must know such principles of international politics. The fundamental question is how to understand and exploit the geostrategic and geopolitical value of Balochistan, Pakistan to the best of our advantages and to the worst of our adversaries.
First, we need to develop a sustainable national strategy comprising all essential ingredients of national sources to address both the traditional and non-traditional security issues Balochistan is confronting from a much broader perspective. The strategy must be consistent and thorough, irrespective of any political government.
The strategy must not focus on only one section while neglecting the other. It must be holistic in its approach addressing all outstanding issues. Hard and complex issues may require graduated approaches. But there could be a number of doable solutions for each issue which could be made part of the proposed sustainable strategy. For every single problem, there should be a doable, reliable and agreed-upon solution.
Second, bad governance is the linchpin of all issues we confront. Today, many may argue that most of the problems the province Balochistan faces are because of the absence of good governance. Governance includes almost everything from the rule of law to accountability and from effective and timely decision-making to effective management.
It is also important to note that more than 90% of bureaucracy belongs to the locals of Balochistan. It is about time they deliver timely and efficiently
The broader national strategy should include to improve upon the governance issue. Once this fundamental issue is resolved, we will have many issues resolved as well. But I must argue that both Baloch and Pashtoon bureaucrats as part of the governance system are serving other parts of the country. It is also important to note that more than 90% of bureaucracy belongs to the locals of Balochistan. It is about time they deliver timely and efficiently for the broader socio-economic development of Balochistan.
Third, since the province Balochistan potentially bears geopolitical and geostrategic interests including that of geoeconomic importance, we need to exploit the value that we have. There should be a fair combination of geoeconomic and geopolitical positioning for cashing out the maximum advantages. Therefore, the relations with Iran, Afghanistan, the Central Asian countries, and including other regional players across the Arabian Sea should be dealt tactfully. We should take all these countries on board for the socio-economic uplift of Balochistan and Pakistan. Balancing strategy must be crafted, adopted and managed to deal with all the regional stakeholders. Obviously, the success of this province must be presumed as the success of the country.
Pakistan has already initiated a number of development projects as part of CPEC and has been trying to ensure the safety and security of the broader CPEC mega project
Fourth, China is important for Pakistan given the growing economic and strategic partnership the two countries have. CPEC begins from the Deep-Sea Port Gwadar connecting other provinces of Pakistan. It is a linchpin for regional connectivity bearing various development programs including the development of exclusive economic zones that ultimately will benefit the people of Balochistan and Pakistan. Pakistan has already initiated a number of development projects as part of CPEC and has been trying to ensure the safety and security of the broader CPEC mega project despite having limited sources.
Fifth, one of the renown Chinese strategist Sun Tzu remarked in his book the Art of War that “know yourself and know your enemy.” This is quite relevant in the 21st century. The leading powers, including the regional competing players, are affecting and exploiting this part of the world. With weak governance system and less economic wherewithal, 70% of Pakistani youth that is supposed to be a blessing for the country may be exploited to weaken the country thereby undermining the supreme national interest.
We need to help resolve conflicts through robust political means
Finally, it can be argued that to be strong outside, we first need to be strong at home. We need to protect our masses from being exploited by external forces. We need to play a balancing-strategy to meet our national interest. Therefore, sustaining good relations with all the regional players, including that of the leading powers, is imperative. We need to have a sustainable strategy for the socio-economic development of Balochistan. We need to help resolve conflicts through robust political means. Our political and bureaucratic entities need to bridge the gaps for the betterment of this province. A prosperous Balochistan means prosperous Pakistan. Balochistan is the crown jewel of Pakistan thereby it must be safeguarded.
Along with the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Balochistan, the imperatives for geo-economics need to be incentivized and utilized. Therefore, we must never miss opportunities of regional players investment for regional connectivity provided such opportunities meet our national interest. Because at the end of the day, it is the vital security interests for Balochistan and Pakistan that would matter the most while dealing with all the regional players including that of the major powers in the system.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
