Baluchistan is considered to be the “Kurdistan of central Asia”. Its financial and physical worth is of an attire importance for many and has always been the centre of attention for China, Iran, India and the United states. Being plunged with Gold and coal reserves along with natural gas reserves, Baluchistan is considered to be a patch of fortune on the surface of this earth.

Baluchistan has Gold reserves of more than a staggering $1000 billion in worth. Reko diq is a small town in the chagai district in Baluchistan which is situated in a desert area 70 kilometers north-west of naukundi near the Iran-Afghan border.  The sand is surely a camouflage and hiding underneath it is some 12.3 million tons of copper and 20.9 million ounces of gold which are believed to be even bigger than those of Sarcheshmeh in Iran and Escondido in Chile. Named after a famous ancient volcano, Reko diq is undoubtedly the centre of attention for many.

But the picture isn’t as vivid as it appears. There is a complete black out situation as far as news from the province is concerned as most of the Pakistanis are naive and unaware of the rising conflicts in Baluchistan. Gruesome developments taking place in Baluchistan are not known by many. Both the army and the government are playing two different roles in the region. There is an ongoing conflict between the Baloch nationalists and the government of Pakistan over Baluchistan. Moreover, the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) is an extremist wing based in Baluchistan which has been striving hard ever since the summers of 2000 to establish an independent state of Baluchistan free from Pakistani and Iranian rule. The group has claimed a long line of grievances which also includes the lack of economic development in the province despite the relative wealth of its gas fields and gold mines. The whining doesn’t end here, as they further accuse the government of not paying royalties up to the mark for the resources being utilized and a few other matters including the employment of non-balochis as opposed to the natives and formation of military training facilities which sabotages the normal freedom of living. Balochi nationalism is nothing new and can be traced back to 1973 where the independent Baluchistan movement was aimed at establishing an independent state gathering together all the balochi areas of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Following the trend of terrorist groups, the BLA has a structure comprising both of paramilitary and cellular components. Different units are assigned to a number of variable camps out of which a handful are assigned at planting explosives and assassinating targets. In terms of weaponry, there has never been a shortfall in the supply of ammunition in Baluchistan. Most of the arms are left over from the previous conflicts and it is therefore, assumed that an “external hand” is also involved actively in funding these terrorist groups although; conclusive determinations are difficult to come by. There are clans involved in recruitments and targets to be achieved and their main targets are natural resource which is harvested by the central government. Natural gas pipelines and oil fields are the major anticipated pinpoints which are randomly attacked by BLA. Analysts assume that plans were already there to support the insurgency in Baluchistan and planners were waiting for the right moment in time to set things to motion. There is a deadly game going on with a gloomy picture and no discrimination between the friend and the foe!

According to the wiki leaks network, India has been involved in the insurgency of Baluchistan and has been involved in training the members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a number of camps along the afghan border. Israel has been accused on the same grounds for supporting and funding the insurgency in Baluchistan. According to the ex-president Mr. Musharraf, Pakistan had proof lines conforming that India and Afghanistan were recklessly involved in providing efforts in arranging weapons, training and funding for Baloch extremists through Brahamdagh Bugti and Baloch Marri, two Baloch nationalists, who were living in Kabul.

Although according to estimated figures, it is claimed that Baluchistan can generate $58 billion a year right after gaining independence, which by all means is enough to sustain a piece of land and a few million lives (3.25M), but it is argued that Baluchistan cannot sustain as an independent country.

What is spared from this is bestowed to the sardars and waderas who have been a major negative aspect of Baluchistan. At present the sardari system is the basic characteristic of Baluchistan in general and the specific baloch areas in particular. This has developed and has been a part of Baluchistan since centuries and will continue to remain the dark side of Baluchistan for the coming times to come. These specific tribes’ heads enjoy unlimited powers and a sense of superiority over the masses without the fear of any slightest fear of resistance from the weak. The picture portrays lifeless human beings like chess pieces found on a chess board waiting for others to command them. They command them to even breathe with their permission and compel others to avoid all sorts of basic commodities of life. Here the standard of living can be found at its lowest with lack of education at the maximum point and those who, somehow, manage to gain some knowledge through education are forced to leave the areas. Most sardars maintain their own jails and armed detachments that act as police and provoke the traditional “sacred right” so as to demand a share of the population’s income as their right. Efforts to dissolve this anti-humanity secular system have proved fruitless so far and no wonder will remain like this until a wave of change will rise and hit the deck of this patch of fortune.

There is hardly anyone optimistic for these issues to be resolved instantaneously but a first step is yet to be taken. Baluchistan is the one of the richest and tremendously blessed patch of land on the surface of this earth and obliged we should be  that this piece of land is a part of our country but our personal differences, lack of knowledge and the so called superior/inferior concept is taking us down at a voluptuous rate. Someone has to take the first step; may it be you or may it be me!