Editorial
The situation in Balochistan remains one of Pakistan’s most critical national challenges. While the region’s people must be granted their full constitutional and democratic rights under the federal framework, it is equally imperative for the state to assert its authority and ensure effective governance in the province. A balanced approach is not a matter of choice—it is a necessity for national cohesion and long-term stability.
The social contract between the state and the people hinges on the guarantee of fundamental rights. For the people of Balochistan, this includes the right to political participation, equitable resource distribution, and protection under the law. These entitlements, enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution, must be realized without delay. A failure to do so risks deepening the sense of alienation and grievance among the Baloch population.
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However, state obligations go beyond rights delivery. The preservation of law and order, and the protection of life, property, and human dignity are core responsibilities of any sovereign state. In this regard, Pakistan must re-establish its writ in Balochistan. The province has long suffered from a breakdown in law enforcement, weakening state institutions, and growing zones of insecurity. Without reversing this trend, development and peace will remain elusive.
Administrative reforms are crucial to achieving this objective. These reforms must not only strengthen law enforcement and judicial mechanisms but also improve governance transparency, local government performance, and service delivery. Balochistan needs capable and credible civil administration that is representative, inclusive, and accountable.
A one-sided policy—focused either solely on rights or solely on control—will not work. What Balochistan needs is a dual commitment: democratic empowerment for its people and a firm but just assertion of state authority. Only through such a strategy can the trust deficit be addressed and Balochistan integrated meaningfully into Pakistan’s political and developmental mainstream.
