In the past few years, Balochistan has seen a major improvement in its law and order situation. Prior to 2014, nearly 4,000 people were killed and more than 7,500 were injured in the numerous terror attacks since 2006. In the year 2013 alone, more than 700 people were killed and nearly 1,500 were wounded in almost 500 attacks, making it the deadliest year the province had ever witnessed. However, a number of counter-terrorism measures adopted in recent years have played a vital role in decreasing the intensity of terrorism and bringing back normalcy in the province which was once considered as a no-go area for residents from other provinces. In the current year, more than 150 people have been killed and nearly 200 wounded. In other words, there has been a 79 percent decrease in fatalities and an 88 percent decrease in injured persons.

The counter-terrorism measures adopted by the Provincial Government, with the support of the Federal Government, can be divided into the following three broad categories:-

• Military measures
• Socio-economic development
• Integration measures

The most important military measure since 2013 was the elimination of second and third tier leadership of Baloch sub-nationalists and sectarian outfits

This article will focus only on military and integration measures. The most important military measure since 2013 was the elimination of second and third tier leadership of Baloch sub-nationalists and sectarian outfits. This measure not only helped in killing the Chiefs of the Balochistan chapter of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Al-Qaeda (AQ) but also weakened the Balochistan insurgency. Some of the high-profile killings of first, second and third tier leaders have been included in the following table.

Following Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Operation Khyber and other military operations in the FATA, Balochistan is now the primary focus of security forces. Since 2011, nearly 1,100 terrorists from both sectarian and Baloch sub-nationalist groups have been killed.

The military measures have helped in restoring peace, revival of economic activities and tourism in the province. Following the 2013 earthquake in Awaran, security forces were able to clear the area from Balochistan Liberation Front’s control. Since 2014, no terror attack has targeted Shia Muslim pilgrims. The residents of Dera Bugti, which was once the primary base of the on-going insurgency, can now easily move in and out of the city. With the returning of peace, Turbat is attracting businessmen, investors and artists from all across the country, especially Karachi and Lahore. This year has also been the least violent since 2013 for the Kech district, in which Turbat is located. Both domestic and foreign tourists have also returned back to explore the province which is often termed as the ‘unexplored province’.

Following Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Operation Khyber and other military operations in the FATA, Balochistan is now the primary focus of security forces. Since 2011, nearly 1,100 terrorists from both sectarian and Baloch sub-nationalist groups have been killed.

Apart from the military measures, several measures have also been taken for national integration. Following the victory of Pakistan People’s Party in 2008 elections, a number of initiatives were taken for the welfare of the Baloch population. The Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan package, 7th National Finance Commission Award and the 18th Amendment were the measures which not only helped in engaging Balochistan’s nationalist parties but also demonstrated the resolve to solve multifaceted issues of the province.

Launched in August 2015, the ‘Balochistan Peace Program’ offers a general amnesty to those separatists who surrender themselves before the authorities. Those who surrender are provided with monetary assistance for their rehabilitation and to bring them back into the national mainstream. Up till now, more than 2,600 separatists, including senior Commanders, have surrendered. The success of this initiative can be known by the fact that only eight separatists have re-joined sub-nationalist groups.

The Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan package, 7th National Finance Commission Award and the 18th Amendment were the measures which not only helped in engaging Balochistan’s nationalist parties but also demonstrated the resolve to solve multifaceted issues of the province.

Another important group to engage was the youth of Balochistan. According to media reports, Baloch sub-nationalist groups have employed child soldiers who are as young as 14. Similarly, sectarian outfits have mostly used youth, in late adolescence or early 20s, as foot soldiers and suicide bombers to create fear and panic in the province. Therefore, it was important for the Provincial Government to engage this important chunk of the population in nation-building so that they could not become part of foreign-sponsored anti-state activities.

In this regard, the ‘Youth Mobilization Campaign’ was launched in 2015 with the aim to create inter-provincial harmony among the students of the country. As part of this initiative, students from less developed areas of Balochistan are provided with the opportunities to learn from students and faculties of other provinces. 17 tours have been organized so far in which students of Balochistan have visited various cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Similarly, students from other provinces have also visited various cities of Balochistan including Quetta, Ziarat and Gwadar. The initiative has proved to be a success in changing perceptions, breaking stereotypes and helping in creating educational collaboration between universities of Balochistan and other provinces.

A special emphasis on mainstreaming women has been realized by the current Provincial Government. It believes that a woman has far more influencing power to convince her husband, son, brother and other male relatives. There have been few examples where women have influenced their male relatives to surrender themselves before authorities. Therefore, females comprise 50 percent of every visiting delegation under the ‘Youth Mobilization Campaign’. This step has been taken so that women can play an important role in changing perceptions, breaking stereotypes and contribute towards nation building.

Despite the improvement in law and order situation, it is important for the Provincial Government to emphasize on socio-economic initiatives. Socio-economic development is the key to end the weakened and factionalized insurgency. It will also help in derailing propagation of anti-state hatred. Similarly, efforts should be exerted for providing good quality education for the youth of Balochistan so that it can be at par with the youth of other provinces. Balochistan, which is abundant in natural resources, only requires focused and dedicated political ownership to resolve its problems and change fortunes for the population.