“Unmet promises echo louder than words, leaving behind the silence of disappointment”; the recent two day visit by the top leadership of the Pakistan PML-N to Balochistan, aimed at garnering support for Nawaz Sharif’s bid for a fourth term as prime minister, followed the well-trodden path of political rhetoric. Before departing, the leaders made grand announcements of mega development projects, pledging, once again, to elevate the province on a par with Punjab. However, history suggests that such promises often fade into oblivion when confronted with the exigencies of political power. Over the past half-decade, Balochistan’s independent leaders, epitomized by Sardar Akhtar Mengal of the BNP, have sought solutions through alliances with both the PTI and the PDM. Yet, each time, their hopes were ruined, leaving them empty handed. The underlying truth is that no central government has the capability to address Balochistan’s core issues, including the pervasive disappearances of Baloch youth and the prevailing disillusionment with the state.
The frequent and periodic cycle of unfulfilled promises in Balochistan underscores the need for a fundamental shift in approach. Rather than relying on centralized power structures and empty rhetoric, Pakistan’s leadership must recognize the importance of genuine representation and local empowerment. Balochistan’s destiny should be in the hands of its people, guided by leaders who authentically advocate for their interests and strive for solutions rooted in the reality of the province. Anything less perpetuates a cycle of disappointment and neglect that the Baloch people can ill afford. The first crucial step in this direction is to foster an environment where Baloch leaders are given the autonomy and resources necessary to address their constituents’ concerns. This requires a departure from the traditional top-down approach to development and a genuine commitment to participatory governance. Balochistan deserves a political structure that values local perspectives, incorporates the voices of its people, and allows for the implementation of solutions that resonate with the ground realities of the province.
The key lies in granting sincere leaders the space they deserve within the province’s political landscape. The Baloch people have the right to be represented by leaders who prioritize their welfare and advocate for solutions to their unique challenges. Meaningful representation involves not only token gestures but empowering Baloch leaders to take charge of their destiny. Political leaders, in their attempt to resolve what they perceive as a development problem, have resorted to injecting funds into the province. Unfortunately, the lack of meaningful civilian oversight has allowed these development efforts to disproportionately favor a select few rather than benefitting the population at large. To truly address Balochistan’s challenges, the focus must shift towards providing the Baloch people with genuine representation and the means to address their issues independently. Pakistan’s leadership, whenever it ventures into Balochistan, seems to adopt a newfound eloquence, promising grand solutions to the province’s long-standing issues. However, the track record of these promises reveals a stark reality: little or nothing changes on the ground. Recent years have witnessed Baloch lawmakers’ content playing second fiddle to distant urban power centers, forming alliances that shift with political tides. Unfortunately, this trend persists, revealing that the plight of Balochistan remains largely unchanged.