Pakistan, having a population of twenty two Crores in four provinces has been always in news for wrong reasons: its traditional rivalry with India over Kashmir , giving shelter to Osama Bin Laden brand of trans national terrorists, figuring in Infamous Grey list of Financial Action Task Force( FATF) and three strong separatist movements in Sindh, erstwhile East Pakistan and Balochistan.
2) While second one became a reality with the tacit support of India in the garb of Mukti Vahini in 1971,the first one has almost died down, having failed to muster sufficient momentum.
Sindhudesh ?
3) The feeling of a Sindhudesh movement against Punjabi-Mohajir imperialism took inspiration from liberation of Bangladesh. G.M.Syed, their leader proposed formation of an independent nation under the banner of Jiye Sindh movement in 1970-71.
The meaning of the word Sindhu ,being water or ocean,basically referred to Indus river.Sindh,a part of British India’s Bombay Presidency had become a separate province in 1936. Sindhi dissatisfaction had traditionally grown over issues,namely, construction of large dams,discrimination against them in government and military employment, provincial autonomy and share in revenue .Traditional Sindhi families,such as,the Bhuttos have always remained prominent in national politics of Pakistan.
Saga of Balochistan
4)The third separatist movement for creating an independent Balochistan keeps cropping up every now and then. Richest of four provinces in terms of its mines and minerals(gold,copper,coal,natural gas and oil),Balochistan has been eyed by China for a long time.It has been an active party to neglect and subjugation of the region.
Chinese nationals have been always targetted by Balochistan Liberation Army( B.L.A.).The latest one on a minibus on 26th April in Confucius Institute,Karachi has claimed the life of three Chinese teachers ,one Pakistani driver and injury to others. This is the first major attack on the Chinese nationals in Pakistan after bombing of a bus in Dasu in July 2021 which had claimed the life of thirteen Chinese nationals, including nine working in a hydel power plant.
Dare Devil Shari Baloch
5) Shari Baloch, the first alleged woman suicide bomber of Pakistan, according to Indian and Pak media inputs, belonged to a well educated family having no past connection to any separatist group. Hitting the target by means of remote controlled or suicide bombing, indoctrinated and instigated by the Jihadis, sheltered in Afghanistan and POK has been going on for more than a decade. But indulgence by a woman suicide bomber in a self sacrificing attack in Pakistan has been reported for the first time.
An M.Phil. Degree holder School Teacher, having two children ,going to such an extreme end, proves the belief that sense of deprivation of the Baloch people lies in having a negotiation rather than trying military operations on a piece meal basis. The attack has been claimed by the dreaded and banned Majeed Brigade of B.L.A.
6) One may recall the strength and reach, such a motivated phenomena received during the hey days of LTTE militancy in Sri Lanka. A woman suicide bomber by the name of Dhanu had managed to pierce through tight security to assassinate the former Indian P.M. Rajiv Gandhi on 21st May,1991,that too, on Indian soil.
7) One Senator of ruling party PML-N, as reported in Dawn newspaper of Karachi has felt that the attack was not a normal one as the involvement of an educated woman has proved how deep the sense of alienation had penetrated among the local population. When the main opposition party during Imran Khan ruled Pakistan, on facing the music within a fortnight hints at lack of co-ordination between 26 intelligence agencies in Pakistan, it certainly removes the cover of secrecy over a major Fault line, that is , pending issue of a large number of ‘missing persons’,which has remained unresolved since the time of former President Musarraf. The demand of locals in greater share in regional resources of mines and minerals has never been conceded.
Dark Days Ahead
8)That day is not far when Pakistan already facing high inflation and diverse fiscal problems, will be paid in her own coins due to recent re- activation of businessmen turned politicians.
China To Tighten Its Noose
9) Subsequent to the suicide bombing on 26th April, China looks certain to tighten its noose. Future of gigantic Belt and Road infrastructure project of China too may be in a doldrum.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry while strongly condemning the attack has “demanded” that Pakistan should punish the perpetrators, protect the Chinese citizens and prevent such incidents from happening again. “Blood of Chinese should not be shed in vein and those behind it will surely pay the price”, a Chinese Spokesperson has already stated in a candid way.
Will immediate condemnation of the heinous attack by the P.M. Shehbaz Sharif in person in the precincts of Chinese Embassy in Islamabad cut any ice at this late stage ? He may have sleepless nights during his first foreign visit as P.M. to Saudi Arabia, a giant no longer trusting Pakistan.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
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