On the anniversary of the late Nawab Akbar Bugti, Balochistan witnessed a series of coordinated terrorist attacks across the province, claiming more than seventy-four lives, including both security personnel and civilians. These attacks, attributed to terrorist groups such as the BLA and BNF, are among the deadliest in recent years and underscore the severity of the security situation in the province.

Balochistan has a long history of insurgency and militancy, dating back to its accession to Pakistan on 27 March 1948. Currently, the province is grappling with its third and longest-running insurgency, which began following the death of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti on 26 August 2006. Since then, the region has not returned to full normalcy, with terrorist outfits frequently targeting security forces, civilian infrastructure, and non-Baloch residents, particularly poor workers from Punjab.

The Balochistan issue is multifaceted. One of the primary concerns of Baloch nationalists is the issue of human rights violations and cases of missing persons. Last month, Balochistan saw major non-violent protests led by the charismatic leader Mahrang Baloch in Gwadar and Quetta. Previously, she had also led a long march-style protest in Islamabad, which culminated in negotiations between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the federal government of Pakistan. On the other hand, some security insiders claim that many of the missing persons are anti-Pakistan and involved in terrorist activities, challenging the nationalists’ assertions about the innocence of those who have disappeared. However, a proper legal and security mechanism should be established to address the issue of missing persons in the........

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