BALOCH NATIONALISM AND CENTRALIZED POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF PAKISTAN: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS SINCE INDEPENDENCE 1947

Abstract

This research is a historical analysis of the Baloch nationalism and its interaction with the centralized political structure of Pakistan since its independence in 1947. Under the theory of primordialism this article explains the origin of Baloch ethnic nationalism and the reason for ethnic conflicts between its in-group and out group. The central argument develops around the fact that the seed of ethnic nationalism in Balochistan was sown by the British colonialist, which grown into Baloch nationalist movement after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. All the local political parties in Balochistan i.e. Anjuman-e-Ittehad-e-Balochan-o-Balochistan, Kalat State National Party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal Group), the Jamhuri Watan Party (Bugti Tribe), and Baloch Haq Talwar (Nawab Khair Bakhsh Murri Group) etc. emerged around the populist slogan of Baloch ethnicity. The centralized political structure in Pakistan, with unfortunate intervals of military rule couldn’t handle the ever-increasing grievances of Baloch people. The mishandling on the behalf of Pakistani governments, whether civilian or military i.e. through military operations, abducting the political leadership, and suppressing the voices of regional leadership have worsened the crisis. This is a qualitative research, based on historical analysis of the emergence and expansion of Baloch nationalism under the centralized political structure of Pakistan.