Force alone won't fix Baluch problem

If the social media attacks on Balochistan National Party President Sardar Akhtar Mengal from accounts and handles usually seen as close to one or more elements of the hybrid set-up are a reflection of the thinking in the corridors of power, one can only despair.

- ABBAS NASIR

The language, tone and tenor of these attacks display very poor judgment because they ignore what Akhtar Mengal's protest march and activism can deliver. Over the past several months, he has been despondent over the state's continued denial of Baloch economic and political rights that has deepened the sense of alienation among the youth in Balochistan.

He has often warned that in the absence of course correction, matters would go out of the hands of politicians such as himself whose struggle for Baloch rights to this day remains peaceful and through constitutional means. In fact, of late he has taken the stance that things may have gone too far already for him to play a role.

When Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch were arrested from Quetta and Karachi respectively, while protesting peacefully, the BNP leader announced his protest march. One can understand that the Baloch nationalist leader sees an opportunity to come back into the game and this can only be a positive development.

The provincial and federal governments, and more significantly, the establishment see BYC as an entity sympathetic to the armed separatists such as those in the BLA that has embarked on attacks not just on the security forces but also on unarmed civilians.