TRANSFORMATION OF LEADERSHIP PARADIGM IN BALOCHISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF BALOCH LED MILITANT GROUPS IN POST 2004 PERIOD

Abstract

Balochistan is resources rich and an important province of Pakistan in the context of geostrategic location. Its location occupies key role in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is known to be a game changer. Unfortunately, Balochistan has remained center stage for militancy and conflicts since the inception of Pakistan primarily because of its porous international boundaries with Iran and Afghanistan, deprivation and flawed government policies. There are roughly five insurgencies since 1948 till to date. The first four were initiated by ruling family of Kalat and Baloch chieftains, asking their tribesmen to pick up arms against government of Pakistan. The latest row of armed conflict started in 2004 and is still present in shape of terrorist attacks, making it the longest and most broadly extended insurgency. Primary data in the form of 20 semi structured interviews and secondary sources are used to address the research question using qualitative methodology. Relative Deprivation Theory is used to study the transition in leadership of militant groups. The findings of the study indicate that Concept of Leadership as a person can still be seen in political elite of Balochistan. But, as far as the militant groups are concerned, transition in leadership occurred from Baloch tribal heads to the middleclass Baloch educated youth due to genuine grievances and foreign interference. Government has managed to bring considerable level of peace but still it is a negative peace until the root causes are addressed.

Keywords: Balochistan, Deprivation, Insurgency, Baloch, tribal leadership.