Gwadar outrage – Newspaper – DAWN.COM

JUST two days after the President discussed the need for political dialogue to address the province’s problems during a visit to Balochistan, terrorists struck in Surbandar, on the outskirts of Gwadar, killing seven innocent men as they slept . All the victims, who worked at a local barber shop, were from Punjab. This is the third incident of its kind in the province in recent months. Nine passengers were taken from a bus by militants in Noshki last month and after their papers were checked, the men were later found murdered under a bridge. Meanwhile, six workers were killed while sleeping in Turbat last October. In all these incidents, the victims were originally from Punjab. No cause can justify these heinous crimes. Political leaders, from the Prime Minister down, have condemned these barbaric killings and vowed to secure justice for the slain men.

The apparent purpose of these despicable acts is to foment ethnic unrest by targeting individuals of a particular ethnicity or regional background. While locals in Balochistan should be prioritized for jobs, there can be absolutely no justification for targeting workers from outside the province trying to earn a fair living there. Most victims are driven by poverty to leave their homes and families behind just to ensure their loved ones have food on the table. Moreover, citizens of all federating units have the right to live and work anywhere in Pakistan, so it is completely unacceptable to target people by calling them ‘settlers’ and ‘outsiders’. It is worrying that terrorists have struck at a time when the state has emphasized the need for political dialogue in Balochistan. The involvement of hostile foreign actors also cannot be ruled out, especially given that the Chinese are active in Balochistan, while Gulf investors are also considering pouring money into schemes in the province. If prosperity comes to Balochistan and the locals get employment through foreign investments, the separatists’ narrative will be seriously punctured. Therefore, the grotesque acts of violence could be intended to deter foreign investors. The state must provide security to the entire people of Balochistan while those involved in these heinous crimes must be brought to justice. Sustainable socio-economic development cannot take place in Balochistan if there are terrorist threats.

Published in Dawn, May 10, 2024