Yet, the walled region of Balochistan is a cultural monarchy, suffocating beneath the water wheels of a geopolitical battlefield and the sieve of general neglect. Nevertheless, its narrative is increasingly subverted by a paradoxical speech: there are many voices calling for Baloch rights, however, there is a conspicuous silence regarding the atrocities perpetrated by militant organizations such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Above all, figures as Mahrang Baloch’s silence — whether conscious or not — tampered justice and fed violence which applauded under the banner of liberation. The lack of condemnation of such groups is a matter of deep concern, questioning who it actually is that voices for Balochistan’s people and by what impending future are they going to be presented.

Through her silence on these acts, Mahrang dodges her accountability, which constitutes complicity to the moral authority of her advocacy

Along with a refusal by prominent activists such as Mahrang to repudiate the BLA and the BLF, the organizations behind vicious slaughters of civilians, bombing of infrastructure and the repression of any dissent, the crisis is central. Systematically destabilizing Balochistan, these sorts of campaigns have been transmuted into liberation efforts, targeting educators, healthcare workers: and in the case of students. Through her silence on these acts, Mahrang dodges her accountability, which constitutes complicity to the moral authority of her advocacy. If human rights champions selectively condemn state violence, but discard militant violence, they may entail legitimizing terrorism for the purposes of politics. Such selective outrage ruptures a unity required to tackle Balochistan’s systemic problems and increases the victims of militancy two folds.

The destruction of a Chinese funded university in Gwadar, deprived thousands of educational opportunities, a betrayal of the youth

BLF and BLA techniques, i.e., targeted killings, enforced disappearances and economic sabotage, conform with strategies of ethnic cleansing. Resilience pillars of school and hospital are destroyed, while development projects that offer jobs and connectivity, are ‘exploitation.’ This narrative is echoed by militant sympathizers and denounces the aspirations of the ordinary Baloch in search of education, employment, and being an integral part of national progress. It is ironic indeed that these groups who posture as Baloch identity defenders violently undermine what is needed to preserve Baloch identity, the social and economic base on which such identity is sustained. For example, the destruction of a Chinese funded university in Gwadar, deprived thousands of educational opportunities, a betrayal of the youth, which they claim to represent.

Activists of support who boost mistrust of development without offering an opposite path unwittingly join the ranks of militants reaping in chaos

Infrastructure projects are reduced to a militant rhetoric where it is perceived to be a sort of neocolonialism, a move lacking the capacity to uplift marginalized communities. Although there are legitimate concerns regarding whether or not CPEC will bring equitable benefits to the region, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has brought roads, energy projects and ports to an area that has been deprived of most basic requirements for long. Still, former BLA attacks on CPEC sites, such as a 2021 bombing targeting the bus carrying Chinese engineers, take ideological warfare ahead of progress. This continuing Balochistan isolation, its youth victimized in cycles of poverty and radicalization, will continue unchecked. Activists of support who boost mistrust of development without offering an opposite path unwittingly join the ranks of militants reaping in chaos.

The most inhumane aspect of this crisis is the abuse of Baloch students by circles like the Baloch Youth Congress (BYC). They are students who are made targets: forced to join militant camps under false pretenses of martyrdom and later branded ‘disappeared’ by state forces, says at least one of them, Talat Aziz. It has the dual purpose of refilling ranks of militants and serving as propaganda. In educational institutions, designed to be an incubator for hope, they have become grounds for the recruitment and training of suicide bombers. Civil society leaders have remained completely silent on this issue; their letters have no clout when they ignored the complete destruction of an entire generation.

Mahrang and other activists need to understand that justice for Balochistan cannot be in parts, it requires both: victims of State violence and non-State violence

A reckoning with all forms of violence is necessary for Balochistan’s path to peace. Indefensible as are the state’s historical neglect and heavy-handedness is the ‘romanticization’ of militant groups as ‘freedom fighters.’ Sure, it takes true solidarity acknowledging that we all need to hold all perpetrators accountable; no matter their political veneer. Mahrang and other activists need to understand that justice for Balochistan cannot be in parts, it requires both: victims of State violence and non-State violence. Only then  trust can be rebuilt between people and those who are supposed to represent them.

The region can only find the path out of its cycle of despair when advocates address the violence, state and militant alike

Perpetuating the silence over Balochistan’s suffering is what perpetuates its agony. The region can only find the path out of its cycle of despair when advocates address the violence, state and militant alike. No point in elected leaders feigning solidarity with the people of Balochistan and then prancing about discussing political posturing — leading people to a future of silence, by the clamor of progress.

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.