Muhammad Saqlain Kanjan
Terrorism often rises from the ashes of economic disparity, fueled by feelings of marginalization, frustration, and disillusionment. The causes behind the surge in terrorism in Pakistan also stem from social, political, and economic instability. Pakistan is the most severely affected country by terrorism worldwide. In 2025, Pakistan once again became the second-worst affected country in the Global Terrorism Index. Pakistan has suffered significant losses in the war on terror. According to the Nacta website, from 2001 to 2022, Pakistan lost 83,000 lives and incurred a financial loss of over 35 trillion rupees. Furthermore, terrorism has wreaked havoc on infrastructure, displaced people, and had a harmful social impact on the population. Consequently, violence, terrorism, and intolerance have increased in society. This year has continued the trend of the past two decades, proving to be a nightmare for Pakistanis, especially those in the southern and northwestern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have borne the brunt of terrorism. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) shows that 45% of terror attacks surged in 2025 compared to the last year. Once again, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have become hotbeds of terrorism. On March 11, 2025, the hijacking of the Jaffer Express by the banned terrorist organization shocked the entire country. This incident opened a can of worms, revealing widespread terrorism, fragile security, and the strategic depth of the banned Baloch Liberation Army. The causes behind the prolonged and fragile security situation in Balochistan, a province rich in natural resources, are the prevailing senses of alienation and marginalization in the minds of the local people. Despite being rich in resources, Balochistan is, unfortunately, the least developed area in the country. The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics states that 70% of the population in Balochistan suffers from poverty. The Labor Force Survey of 2025 reveals that Balochistan has the highest unemployment rate among all provinces in Pakistan, reaching 9.13%. This survey claims that 25,000 students from Balochistan graduate annually, but only 2,000 manage to secure jobs. Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate in Pakistan, with data from 2023 indicating a provincial literacy rate of 54.5%. The healthcare situation in Balochistan is extremely poor, with the highest child and maternal mortality rates. There is only one doctor available for every 1,000 people. In emergency situations, patients are often transferred from Balochistan to Sindh for basic medical aid. Furthermore, the province lacks basic facilities and infrastructure. The absence of proper roads, electricity, means of communication, and water supply are pressing issues in Balochistan. The dire social and economic situation in Balochistan has severely exacerbated the security situation. Pakistan has paid a heavy price for taking short-term decisions regarding Balochistan, from the murder of Akbar Bugti to the suppression of voices raised against oppression. The pseudo-democracy and selective promotion of political figures in the province have further fueled frustration and disillusionment among the population. A common citizen feels alienated and stifled by these oppressive policies. This is the point from which the situation in Balochistan began to deteriorate into turmoil, and hostile forces set a snare against Pakistan by fueling the uprising and financing terror in the natural resources-rich province. The question now is what options Pakistan has to stabilize the deteriorated situation in the volatile region of Balochistan. I reached out to and spoke with friends and Baloch students studying in Punjab to gather their perspectives on the current volatile situation in the province. Most of them complained about being ignored by the state in areas such as sports, diplomacy, politics, media, film, drama, and art. Secondly, they expressed economic grievances, including poverty, unemployment, and the exploitation of resources. Thirdly, they demanded true political representation, rather than the imposition of puppet leaders. However, the most pressing issue to resolve is that of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. This factor is inflaming an already volatile situation. Nevertheless, it will take time to extinguish the fire of hatred and disillusionment that has been burning for so long. Pakistan should take all necessary measures to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country. However, the situation in Balochistan demands more than just military oppression. There is a need for grand dialogue and constructive measures to rebuild trust between the Baloch youth and the state. Power should be exercised judiciously, only when absolutely necessary, while a strategic and objective approach should be the key to addressing the needs of the hour.