The murder of two Sindhi workers in Balochistan’s Hoshab region on Monday marks the second time this month that the province has targeted labourers. The workers that were killed were engaged in road construction.
Three employees perished last week at a Harnai labour camp. In that incident, after carrying out the crime, the attackers set fire to the labour camp.
No group had assigned these attacks to itself as of the time of writing. Additionally, two police officers were reportedly attacked on Sunday in the Dera Allahyar region of the province. This string of violent attacks on both law enforcement officials and everyday people trying to make a living in the region shows how unresolved the militant issue in Balochistan is.
As the state — both its civilian and military arms — has been unable to establish lasting peace in the troubled province, this string of deadly attacks targeting both ordinary workers trying to make a living in the province and law enforcement officials shows that the issue of militancy in Balochistan is far from resolved. At least 12 non-Baloch settlers and employees were killed in militant attacks in the province last year, according to data collated by the Pak Institute of Peace Studies.
Even while it is wrong to kill any non-combatant, it is especially wrong to murder helpless labourers who are just trying to support their families.
We appear to be going around in circles when it comes to bringing peace to Balochistan. Perhaps because there is little discernible change on the ground, the combination of military operations, amnesty offers to militants, and promises to ameliorate the socioeconomic position of the province’s residents has failed to create long-lasting calm.
A worrisome illustration of the priorities of the authorities, who place the security and wellbeing of the populace significantly lower than their drive for power, is the ruling party in Balochistan, which is involved in palace intrigues as violent incidents persist.
It is a truth that the presence of hostile actors, poverty, opportunity gaps, and militant violence are all intertwined in the difficult province.A comprehensive approach that goes beyond rhetoric is required to bring about long-lasting peace in Balochistan.
In order to strike a fatal blow to militancy, individuals responsible for the killings of security personnel and civilians must be brought to justice.
However, the genuine complaints of the populace must also be addressed.
The mineral wealth of the province should belong to the Baloch first, and they should benefit from CPEC advancements.
The separatist narrative can be defeated more successfully if the state can demonstrate to the people that it cares for them and provides them with jobs, security, healthcare, and education.
In order to strike a fatal blow to militancy, individuals responsible for the killings of security personnel and civilians must be brought to justice.
