CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF BALUCH NATIONALISM IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pakistan is a country with several ethnic identities living in it even before its emergence in 1947. During the last seven decades, Balochistan, one of the federating units, has seen a series of insurgencies and unrest that evolved and transformed the concept of Baloch Nationalism. This research attempts to examine the very foundations, causes, and effects of the Baloch nationalist movement and to document the process of its evolution. The study presents that the locals define Baloch Nationalism based on their sentiments of association and affiliation with geography, culture, language, and ancestry. The political consciousness, struggle for rights, and self determination is other attributes of Baloch nationalism. The emergence and causes of the movement and consequent insurgencies are deeply rooted in the Baloch people's grievances against the state. The Baloch nationalism and nationalist movement emerged in Kalat, grew in the Upper highlands under the leadership of the Marri tribal elite, and scaled up in Balochistan under the educated middle-class youth of the Makran region with increased participation of women. There are wide ranges of socio-cultural, political, and economic effects of the movement, but most significant are detribalization and migration due to violence, unrest, and continued uncertainty due to insurgencies and military operations in the area. The participation of women meaningfully expanded the movement and flourished it. The contemporary concept of Baloch nationalism mainly revolves around the notion of revenging against the graveness and disrespect of the Baloch code of honor and subjugation and disparities in the provision of necessities by the state. Keywords: Baloch, Nationalism, Revenge, Baloch Women, Shift, Grievances