Frankenstein’s Monster: Pakistan’s Self-Inflicted Internal Security Threats

The hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the BLA highlights ongoing unrest in Balochistan. Pakistan is confronted with multiple internal security threats, including insurgencies and political instability. Its historical policies have exacerbated these issues, creating factions it can no longer control. The looming crises represent a need for reevaluation and reform to restore stability.

The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, conducted by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), underscores the significant unrest in Balochistan, a region abundant in resources yet hindered by a persistent insurgency longing for greater autonomy. Beyond Balochistan, Pakistan faces additional internal security threats, including terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ongoing political instability stemming from frequent protests over pressing economic and political matters.

Pakistan’s own policies have cultivated these internal crises, creating a situation where the state has lost control over factions it originally supported. From separatist movements and Islamist extremism to political upheaval, the consequences of the ruling establishment’s decisions have manifested into substantial security threats, resembling Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where the creator is unable to manage its creations.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, continues to grapple with a separatist insurgency that began with its contested accession to Pakistan in 1948. This conflict has witnessed multiple armed uprisings met with oppressive responses from Islamabad, including paramilitary operations and enforced disappearances. The province, rich in natural resources, ironically remains severely underdeveloped, leaving the local population impoverished and inviting resentment against the state, which they perceive as an oppressor extracting their wealth.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa insurgency illustrates how Pakistan’s historical embrace of jihadist militancy has escalated into a severe threat. Initiatives dating back to the 1980s, including the training of mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War, led to the rise of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2007. Despite military efforts to suppress the TTP, its resurgence following the 2021 fall of Kabul reflects the long-term consequences of Pakistan’s prior support for extremist groups, now turned against the state with increased vigor.

Additionally, Pakistan grapples with a major political upheaval triggered by the ousting and imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, revealing cracks in the delicate fabric of its democracy. Initially supported by the military as a figurehead to the traditional political elite, Khan faced a swift downfall following a fallout with the ruling establishment that had once championed him. The resultant mass protests and his subsequent arrest have intensified unrest, leading to widespread public discontent against the militarization of politics.

The current landscape in Pakistan illustrates a nation wrestling not only with insurgencies but also with a profound political crisis that it has crafted itself. The inability of the military to maintain control over civil dissent and the growing instability serves as evidence of the self-destructive path Pakistan has forged through its policies and interventions. These issues highlight the critical need for a comprehensive reevaluation of governance to address the underlying grievances and restore stability in the country.

In summary, Pakistan faces multifaceted internal security threats stemming from its own historical policies and political maneuvers. The Balochistan insurgency and the rise of the TTP illustrate the direct consequences of Pakistan’s longstanding tactical support for militant groups. Concurrently, the political turmoil following the events surrounding Imran Khan reflects significant weaknesses within the nation’s democratic framework. Collectively, these challenges reveal a critical need for reform to address grievances and regain control over the volatile internal landscape.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com