Daily Times

On Tuesday, in a high-level huddle, the government announced a comprehensive and result-oriented military operation against militants (or call them terrorists, Khawarij or …) in Balochistan, particularly the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The announcement of the operation was a matter of time as there had been an alarming rise in deadly attacks. While the decision is apt and timely due to the complex situation of Balochistan, and public demands to restore stability in the province, questions arise about the government’s inconsistent approach to militancy, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where 12 soldiers were killed in a single attack on Wednesday. The attack, claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, only exhibits the intensity of the threat of militancy in the country, which remains seemingly overlooked in the latest military plan.

Will the operation 2024 (as it has yet to be named) will bring about a visible change? Yes and no. Over the years, our governments have conducted multiple military operations to curb terrorism and insurgency, such as Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2014), Operation Raddul Fasaad (2017) and earlier campaigns like Operation Rah-e-Rast (2009). These initiatives temporarily disrupted militant networks but failed to eradicate the root causes of terrorism, which is aided by extremism. Despite significant human and financial costs, the persistence of militancy reflects systemic gaps in addressing socio-economic grievances and ideological indoctrination that fuel such movements.

The situation in Balochistan, the country’s largest and yet most impoverished province, epitomises this challenge. While the military’s focus on separatist violence is very important, it must be coupled with development initiatives and political dialogue to address longstanding grievances over resource exploitation and regional marginalization. Similarly, the growing threat in KP, including increasing attacks from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, demands immediate and coordinated action, not neglect.

History teaches that unplanned military operations cannot secure lasting peace. Past operations often lacked accompanying strategies to tackle underlying issues, such as poor governance, lack of economic opportunities and the manipulation of regional tensions by external powers. To break the cycle, Pakistan must adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates military, political, and socio-economic measures. Strengthening intelligence capabilities, fostering local partnerships, and ensuring justice and inclusion can complement military efforts, creating sustainable peace. *