The hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the BLA underscores Pakistan’s internal security threats, including the long-standing insurgency in Balochistan, terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and political instability stemming from the ousting of Imran Khan. These crises are products of Pakistan’s historical policies, which have fostered insurgencies and militant groups like the TTP, leading to a deteriorating situation within the country.
The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has drawn significant media coverage. This event highlights the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, a resource-rich region marred by a separatist insurgency seeking increased autonomy. Apart from Balochistan, Pakistan faces threats from terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and political instability stemming from protests over economic and political grievances.
Historically, these internal threats have their roots in Pakistan’s own policies, likening the situation to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where the creator loses control of its own creation. For decades, the ruling establishment has nurtured and then lost grip on numerous insurgencies and militant factions, compounding the nation’s crises.
Balochistan has struggled with a separatist movement since its contested accession to Pakistan in 1948, leading to five armed uprisings. Islamabad’s continual reliance on paramilitary responses, enforced disappearances, and a pervasive security state reflects its unchanged approach. The economic exploitation exacerbates resentment, with local communities lacking access to their natural resources despite the province’s wealth.
Failure to engage in meaningful dialogues after protests has only escalated tensions. Allegations of over 7,000 activists and civilians being abducted or killed since 2003 indicate the military’s heavy-handed tactics, which have alienated local populations and intensified the insurgency.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a contrasting form of policy blowback is evident. Pakistan’s historical support for jihadist groups since the 1980s bore unintended consequences. Following 9/11, a complicated relationship emerged between supporting certain Islamist factions while combating others, leading to the formation of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2007. The TTP’s terror campaign, marked by horrific attacks, such as the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, has posed severe challenges to the state, which struggles to contain this militant resurgence.
Adding to these challenges is the political crisis following the ousting and imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan’s rise was initially supported by the military but turned sour, leading to his removal via a no-confidence vote in 2022. This triggered widespread protests, escalating into violent clashes as the military attempted to suppress dissent through heavy-handed tactics. The public’s growing discontent reflects deeper fissures within Pakistan’s fragile democracy, pointing to political instability as a self-manufactured crisis for the state.
Pakistan faces multifaceted internal crises, including insurgencies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as political turmoil stemming from the ousting of Imran Khan. The state’s heavy-handed responses, historical policies, and failure to engage in productive dialogue have exacerbated these issues. With rising public discontent and a loss of credibility for governing institutions, Pakistan’s internal security threats can largely be traced back to its own actions.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
