BIG GAME IN BALOCHISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/apmv.2016.128.0.4-16Abstract
The peculiarities of political and economic situation in the historical region of Balochistan that is divided between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are analyzed in this article.
Due to specifics of its geographical position, poor soils and water scarcity, lands of Baloch people remain the least populated and the poorest in all aforementioned countries. This leads to insufficient attention of all three respective governments to the development of local communities that creates a basis for radicalism and separatism supported by ethnic and confessional differences.
On the other hand, the area of Balochistan still holds a promise of development due to its strategic location between borders of different countries, long stretches of coastline in Pakistan and Iran, considerable mineral resources of coal, natural gas, iron ore and marble. It is argued that three states should provide Baloch minorities with a just share of profits after sale of their commodities, limit migration of empoverished people from other regions and respect human rights. It is proved in the article that the implementation of those recommendations will put to rest the issue of separatism.References
Khan M. (2013). Balochistan: The forgotten frontier [Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad], Available at: <http://issi.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1379480833_35618585.pdf>
Kundi M. A. (2009). The borderland interaction: The case of Pak-Iranian Baloch. [IPRI Journal 9 (2): 90–105]. Available at: <http://www.ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/at6mans2009.pdf>
Shah S. (2013). Balochistan tops poverty list: SPDC [Pakistan Defense, 26 June]. Available at: <http://defence.pk/threads/balochistan-tops-poverty-list-spdc.260539/>
Белокреницкий В. (2009). Пакистан – провальное государство в Азии? [Азия и Африка сегодня 11: 12–17]. Available at: <http://www.asiaafrica.ru/images/AA_nomers/2009/200911/Belokrenitskij_Pakistan.pdf>
Евстратов А. (2014). Главный источник ирано-пакистанской напряженности [Iran.ru, 25 февраля]. Available at: <http://www.iran.ru/news/analytics/92691/Glavnyy_istochnik_irano_pakistanskoy_napryazhennosti>
Fazl-e-Haider S. Fruit production in Balochistan [Pakissan.com]. Available at: <http://www.pakissan.com/english/allabout/horticulture/fruit.production.in.balochistan.shtml>
Ghosh P. R. Balochistan: A poor, remote land of earthquakes, poverty, and endless insurgency, but rich in natural resources [IB Times, 17 April 2013]. Available at: <http://www.ibtimes.com/baluchistan-poor-remote-land-earthquakes-poverty-endless-insurgency-rich-natural-resources-1196349>
Jafar S. Karachi politics: Make space for the Pashtuns [Express Tribune Blogs, 16 July 2011]. Available at: <http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/7034/karachi-politics-make-spacefor-the-pashtuns/>
Kessler O. Nationalists take on Iran and Pakistan, vow close ties with Israel [The Tower.org, 15 May 2013] Available at: <http://www.thetower.org/baloch-nationalists-take-on-iran-andpakistan-vow-close-ties-with-israel/>
Notezai M. A. Off-limits and forgotten [Muhammad Akbar Notezai web-site] Available at: <https://akbarnotezai.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/off-limits-and-forgotten/>
Singh J. In Asia, a geopolitical game without frontiers is being played [The Daily Star (Lebanon), 3 October 2013]. Available at: <http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2013/Oct-03/233369-in-asia-a-geopolitical-game-without-frontiers-is-beingplayed.ashx>
Four years of democratic government [Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan] Available at: <http://www.achievements.gov.pk/AHBalochistan.aspx>
Gunmen kill Muslim Shiites in southwest Pakistan [Al Arabiya, 1 August 2016]. Available at: <http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2016/08/01/Gunmen-kill-Shiites-in-southwest-Pakistan.html>
Pakistan’s unending battle over Balochistan [Al Jazeera, 16 April 2013]. Available at: <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/04/2013415113250391656.html>
Balochistan: Ignored and in trouble [Asia Sentinel, 20 June 2013] Available at: <http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/balochistan-ignored-and-in-trouble/>
Pakistan is an irresponsible state that is putting the civilized world in danger – Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch [Balochwarna News, 31 October 2012]. Available at: <http://www.balochwarna.com/archives/xnews/articles.150/Pakistan-is-an-irresponsible-state-that-is-puttingthe-civilized-world-in-danger-%E2%80%94-Dr-Allah-Nazar-Baloch.html>
About Balochistan [Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi] Available at: <http://karachi.china-consulate.org/eng/lqgk/t264247.htm>
Nawaz Sharif names Baloch nationalist as chief minister [Daily Times, 3 June 2013]. Available at: <http://paktribune.com/news/Nawaz-Sharif-names-Baloch-nationalist-as-chief-minister-260528.html>
UNHCR raises return package for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan [Dawn, 5 November 2012]. Available at: <http://www.dawn.com/news/761742/unhcr-raises-return-package-forafghan-refugees-living-in-pakistan>
Pakistan buys 55% of China’s arms exports [Hindustan Times, 19 March 2013]. Available at: <http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/pakistan-buys-55-of-china-s-arms-exports/story-A5AT3rPw9KkdGj8g2Bc8PL.html>
Province of Sistan and Balochistan [Iran Chamber Society], Available at: <http://www.iranchamber.com/provinces/21_sistan_baluchistan/21_sistan_baluchistan.php>
The Karzai Government does not treat the Afghan Baloch nicely: Abdul Sattar Pordili [Mestaagbaloch, 27 March 2013]. Available at: <https://mestaagbaloch.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/the-karzai-government-does-not-treat-the-afghan-baloch-nicely-abdul-sattar-pordili/>
Iran closely monitors Jundallah moves [Press TV]. Available at: <http://edition.presstv.ir/detail.fa/165145.html>
Balochistan blues [The Express Tribune, 15 August 2015]. Available at: <http://tribune.com.pk/story/422463/balochistan-blues/>
Power crisis: Balochistan faces 970 MW shortfall, minister informs NA [The Express Tribune, 22 August 2013]. Available at: <http://tribune.com.pk/story/593586/power-crisisbalochistan-faces-970-mw-shortfall-minister-informs-na/>
Black day against nuclear explosions in parts of Balochistan [The Nation, 29 May 2013]. Available at: <http://nation.com.pk/national/29-May-2013/black-day-against-nuclear-explosions-in-parts-of-balochistan>
US starts pulling drones from Shamsi Airbase [The Nation, 5 December 2011]. Available at: <http://nation.com.pk/Politics/05-Dec-2011/US-starts-pulling-drones-from-Shamsi-Airbase>
A great game begins as China takes control of Gwadar port [The National AE, 7 October 2012]. Available at: <http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-greatgame-begins-as-china-takes-control-of-gwadar-port>
Restive regions may yet spell trouble for China’s Gwadar plan [The National AE, 10 September 2013]. Available at: <http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/restive-regions-may-yet-spell-trouble-for-chinas-gwadar-plan>
The National Assembly: composition [The National Assembly of Pakistan] Available at: <http://www.na.gov.pk/en/composition.php>
Overcoming trust deficit key to Balochistan solution [The News (Islamabad), 20 September 2012]. Available at: <http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/09/20/business/overcoming-trust-deficit-key-to-balochistan-solution/>
Abduction fears stalk Balochistan Hindus [Times of India, 5 March 2012]. Available at: <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Abduction-fears-stalk-Balochistan-Hindus/articleshow/12141728.cms>
US starts vacating Shamsi airbase. [Times of India, 4 December 2011]. Available at: <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/US-starts-vacating-Shamsi-airbase-in-Pakistan/articleshow/10980780.cms>
