Balochistan has been and remains a bleeding sore. Regardless of the characterisation we attach to it, it is Pakistan's number one problem awaiting a solution. There are two sides to the 'conflict' (it isn't an insurgency anymore): Dissident groups who are estranged against the state and have camps and hideouts outside Pakistan, possibly aided, funded and sponsored by external agents, using criminal franchises to join battle alongside Baloch dissidents in pursuit of respective agendas; and the state of Pakistan, which must defend against such attacks against the people of Balochistan and the symbols of state and the security forces.

Their attacks and targeting are aimed at showing the state of Pakistan helpless against their onslaught, denting its image, exposing its vulnerability, and threatening its integrity. It aims to establish Pakistan as an unstable political economy in an environment where Pakistan is on the verge of bringing development and prosperity to the people of Balochistan. CPEC, exploration for natural resources, and mining, thus, remain circumspect, adding to the despair and despondency among the people at large. This is other than the cost we pay in flesh and blood.

There is an exceptionally fine distinction that separates terror, insurgency and conflict. These are gradual degradations of what may have begun as a simple unease or disaffection. When a remedy is not made or doesn't arrive in time because of neglect, hubris or arrogance, the situation worsens to what we now face in Balochistan. Historically, alienation has been faced with force. This has begotten force as a reaction needing even greater force to face it off, with an equal rise in intensity of reaction till we........

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