By Ayesha Nawaz Malik

The recent apprehension of Gulzar Imam, a prominent member of the Baloch National Army (BNA), has dealt a significant blow to terrorist organizations. The BNA is a banned militant group that has been involved in several terrorist activities in Pakistan, including attacks on law enforcement agencies in Panjgur and Noshki. Gulzar Imam was a key figure in the creation of the Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), serving as its operational chief. The Pakistani intelligence agencies conducted a well-planned operation, leading to the successful arrest of Gulzar Imam, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistani intelligence agencies in combating terrorism.

However, the arrest of Gulzar Imam is not the end of the story. There are other militant leaders who must be brought to justice. The government must strengthen its intelligence networks and engage with dissidents to establish a peaceful and prosperous Balochistan. In addition to that, the presence of foreign hands behind the volatility in Balochistan cannot be ignored at any cost. It is important to acknowledge that militant groups are not the only cause of the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan. The propaganda spread by hostile foreign intelligence agencies and their agents has contributed to a rift between the Baloch people and the state.

The Indian government has openly admitted to supporting Baloch subnationalists as a means to checkmate Pakistan on Kashmir. Baloch leaders such as Brahumdagh Bugti have close links with Indian officials, indicating Indian involvement in Baloch subnationalism. The arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav, the mastermind behind many terrorist attacks in different areas of Pakistan, is a glaring example of direct foreign involvement in Baloch insurgency.

Despite the prolonged conflict in Balochistan, there exists a lot of common ground and area of mutual interest between the Pakistani state and the Baloch people. The Pakistani state is not an enemy of the Baloch people as both desire prosperity and peace in Balochistan. It is essential to work together to reach this goal. The strategic location of Balochistan as a neighbor of the Middle East and its Gwadar port on the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz can lead to its development as an important trading post in a large regional connectivity network. The development of its costal belt of can benefit not only Balochistan but the entire country. The prerequisite for this development is peace in the region, and the Pakistani state has been tirelessly working towards achieving this goal.

Baloch dissidents living abroad are disconnected from the realities on the ground, and their comfortable lives in Western capitals prevent them from acknowledging the price the common people are paying for their political goals. The majority of these nationalists have bourgeois roots, and they are tribal chieftains or their offspring who were unable to make it into mainstream politics. As a result, they have sought solace in becoming dissidents to the Pakistani state to blackmail it.

In conclusion, the situation in Balochistan remains complex and multifaceted, with numerous challenges and opportunities for peace and prosperity. The recent apprehension of Gulzar Imam demonstrates the effectiveness of Pakistani intelligence agencies in combating terrorism and foreign hands involved, but there is still much work to be done to address the underlying issues. All dissident could be engaged or be brought back to the country as a part of carefully crafted strategy. By prioritizing cooperation and focusing on the common goals of peace and development, both the Pakistani state and the Baloch people can work towards a brighter future for Balochistan.

ٰ*Ayesha Nawaz Malik is a faculty member in the International Relations Department at National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad with interest in South Asian security dynamics.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times