By: Kashif javed
These days, everyone seems to have their own narrative. Punjabis lament their grievances, Baloch express their sense of deprivation, Pashtuns narrate their struggles, and Sindhis talk about their identity. Meanwhile, sectarian fears persist—Sunnis feel threatened, and Shias experience insecurity. If every group uses its sense of marginalization as a justification for separatism, we would end up with a new country every 20 to 25 kilometers. But the world does not function this way.
Pakistan today stands at a peculiar crossroads. On one side, there is China’s warm embrace; on the other, America’s stern gaze. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is modernizing, replacing swords with robots. And us? We remain stuck in the ideological confusion of whether the Kaaba is behind us or the church lies ahead.
The federal and provincial governments appear to be avoiding eye contact with one another. Balochistan faces separatist movements, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is shadowed by terrorism, Sindh echoes with nationalist sentiments, and Punjab is entangled in its traditional political rivalries. It seems as though this country is an old state-run TV drama, where the characters keep repeating the same script.
Looking at history, such crises are not unique to Pakistan. In 1861, the southern states of the United States declared secession, leading to a civil war. However, the resolution did not come solely through military might but through economic and political reforms. Similarly, in the 1990s, Yugoslavia disintegrated due to ethnic and economic tensions. Instead of addressing public grievances, the state imposed authoritarian policies, accelerating the country’s fragmentation. On the other hand, Canada successfully handled Quebec’s separatist movement through dialogue, referendums, and economic growth, ultimately weakening the secessionist agenda.
The rise of organizations such as the Baloch Liberation Army, Sindhudesh Liberation Army, and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement is a direct consequence of the void created by the state itself. Where there is deprivation, resistance emerges. Where there is injustice, seeds of rebellion are sown. Whether it is an attack on a train or a bombing at a hotel, the enemy is doing its job—but the real question is: what are we doing?
These movements are not isolated incidents; rather, they stem from Pakistan’s political, economic, and social imbalances. When wealth and resources remain concentrated in the hands of a few and development benefits are limited to certain regions, instability naturally follows. The role of the state is not just to exercise power but to win the confidence of its people. Force may create temporary silence, but lasting peace cannot be achieved through coercion alone.
Economic stability is the foundation for resolving political conflicts. Adam Smith, in his seminal work The Wealth of Nations, argued that when economies grow, states become more stable. Pakistan must embrace this principle. If the economy prospers, if employment opportunities increase, and if the state genuinely addresses public grievances, separatist movements will lose their momentum.
Pakistan also needs to reassess its foreign policy. Instead of serving as a pawn in the battles of global powers, we must prioritize our national interests. Maintaining a balance between China and the United States is crucial, but this should not come at the cost of our sovereignty.
The real strength of a nation lies in its people. If citizens are provided with jobs, justice, and equal opportunities, no external force will be able to manipulate them against the state. Stability is unattainable without economic growth. The government must create employment, encourage entrepreneurship, and empower local governance so that problems can be addressed at the grassroots level.
Pakistan faces a choice: will it continue to rely on force, or will it embrace justice and development? If inequalities are addressed, resources are distributed equitably, and the people are treated as stakeholders in the state, these conflicts will gradually subside. Otherwise, history stands witness—oppression and injustice never remain silent for long.
Note: The “Qalam Club” does not necessarily agree with the personal views of the authors
