Balochistan Slipping Into Conflict Zone, Admits Pakistan’s Own Establishment Voices

Balochistan, long claimed by Islamabad as an inseparable part of Pakistan, is increasingly being acknowledged—even by senior figures within the country—as a region sliding into the shadows of an internal conflict.

The latest remarks by Najam Sethi, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and a veteran journalist with close ties to the political and military establishment, have brought renewed attention to the deepening crisis. According to Sethi, the people of Balochistan are no longer viewing the region merely as a province, but increasingly as a “country at war” with Pakistan.

No Military Solution, Says Najam Sethi

Speaking during a discussion on a Pakistani news channel, Sethi openly stated that Balochistan cannot be subdued through military force—a remark that has placed the government on the defensive. He noted that the hostility Pakistan has traditionally directed toward India and Afghanistan is now being mirrored by the people of Balochistan toward Islamabad.

Sethi’s observations underline a grim reality: military operations have failed to win public confidence, and resentment against the state has only deepened over time.

Key Observations

• Balochistan has effectively turned into a conflict zone rather than a stable province of Pakistan.

• Just as Pakistan has sought to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Balochistan is now emerging as a potential diplomatic and strategic challenge for Islamabad.

• Public sentiment in Balochistan, Sethi suggested, has already shifted decisively away from Pakistan.

‘Independent Balochistan Constitution’ Raises Stakes

Further complicating the situation is the release of an “Independent Balochistan Constitution” by Baloch liberation movements. The document outlines the framework of a sovereign state, including provisions for a parliament, judiciary, foreign policy, and civil rights. Copies of the constitution have reportedly been circulated in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi—an indication of the movement’s growing international outreach.

China’s Concerns and the CPEC Flashpoint

One of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges in Balochistan is the escalating number of attacks targeting the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Among Baloch tribal communities, resentment is mounting over what is perceived as the exploitation of the region’s natural resources by Pakistan and China.

With reports of enforced disappearances and human rights violations increasing, the Balochistan issue has begun to gain traction at international forums, including the United Nations and European institutions.

Analysts note that Najam Sethi’s remarks are particularly significant given his proximity to Pakistan’s ruling elite and military establishment. His candid assessment is being viewed as a sign of growing internal acknowledgment of Pakistan’s structural and political fragility.

As Islamabad continues to rely primarily on military measures rather than pursuing a political settlement, concerns are mounting over whether the Balochistan crisis could push Pakistan toward yet another episode of internal fragmentation.