Evaluating Role of International Actors in the Balochistan's Unrest
This paper attempts to analyze the role of international actors in detail and how these states have contributed to the existing situation in the province. Overall, the research is an effort to categorically analyze the domestic as well as international factors behind the instability in Balochistan. Balochistan prominently configures the foreign policies of different states due to the interests and stakes involved in the volatile province. In terms of the transnational factors, there are few factors which have enhanced the significance of the province in the contemporary times, like War on Terror and the emerging economic and geostrategic importance of the province. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has increased the significance of Balochistan, also. At the same time, this increased significance has posed internal challenges for the inhabitants of the province who are of the view that the effects of the development should be visible across the board and the locals should be given their due share. The nationalist movement in Balochistan has developed greater contacts with their co-ethnics in the neighboring countries. Among the foreign powers, the role of India, Afghanistan, China, USA and the Middle East are of great concern.
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Balochistan, Instability, International Actors, CPEC
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(1) Mariam Asif
PhD Scholar, School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), Quaid-e- Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Ahmed Saeed Minhas
Faculty Member, Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Bashir Ahmad
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bahria University Karachi Campus, Karachi, Pakistan.
01 Pages : 1-17
http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).01 10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).01 Published : Dec 2016Pakistan Internal Security Dilemma: Strategic Dimension
The paper reflects on Pakistan's complex security situation and the causes of current challenges that Pakistan is facing due to vacillating foreign policies. It also reviews the role of factors that contributed towards the instability of the country. After Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan involved in a proxy war and trained Mujahideen to liberate Afghanistan. In 1980's sectarianism floored the state, and since it has rooted in Pakistani society. The country brokered several Post-Soviet peace agreements between different militaristic groups in Afghanistan but in vain. Finally, it recognized Taliban for the cause of peace (though temporary) on its Western border. After 9/11 the country had to reluctantly take a "U" turn on its Afghan policy under immense US pressure. This swing of policy opened a Pandora-box for the country i.e. terrorism, Jihadist, ethnicity, sectarianism, economic and political instability in Pakistan. In this state of affairs corruption, deteriorating law and order situation, political instability and economic fragility, variables of internal security, act as key factors in a peaceful solution of conflicts.
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Terrorism, Jihadists, Sectarianism, Ethnicity, Militancy, Political Parties, Militant Wings, Economic Instability, Taliban, Dictatorship, Civilian Rule, Democracy
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(1) Sohail Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Mahwish Bakht
Research Scholar, MSIR, COMSATS, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Sumbal Hussan
Junior Research Fellow at HRC, Islamabad, Pakistan.