Flashpoints of disorder

Pakistan is reeling under an intricate revulsion at two of its flashpoints. The warmongering in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district and the standoff in Gwadar and other restive areas of Balochistan are taking their toll. The feud in the ex-FATA region is all owing to administrative chaos, which is a pestering outcome of land disputes, and has blown out of proportion with the added impulses of cross-border terrorism and sectarian undercurrents. Likewise, the desolate province of Balochistan has much to do with simmering political and societal unrest, primarily related to denial of rights to the locals. This proactivity in several Baloch districts has unfortunately hit the can on the streets and led to crossing of swords with the security forces.

The casualties in both the hotspots are alarming, and necessitates an instant huddling of heads to chart out a module of reconciliation. The tribal loathing does not have a military solution, and what needs to be done is to go back to the basics of Jirga culture to undo the discord. It is high time the sectarian bogey is addressed in Parachinar in a formidable manner, and justice done to the aggrieved sections of society. The use of heavy weapons and intrusion from Afghanistan are quite common factors, and hint at the failure of manning the borders and internal security. Social media posts accounting to horrible scenes of man-slaughter are sizzling, and warrant immediate retribution across the board.

Not different is the desired solution for Baloch abhorrence which is rapidly turning into organised parochialism. The presence of non-state actors and extra-territorial meddling has made it a juncture of chaos, but should be only dealt with in a political manner. Baloch people have been longing for their due rights, and it is disturbing that Gwadar and Makran Coast despite being the theatre of CPEC have not transformed into avenues of serenity and social mobility, and this is where the ills rest. Temporary thaws and paper accords are no solution, as they have fallen back time and again.