Balochistan is no Bangladesh [Comment], Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 19 January 2010
EXCERPT: "The separatist sentiment sweeping through the province of Balochistan has led many in Pakistan to draw parallels with the situation that prevailed in East Pakistan and which ultimately culminated in the formation of an independent state, Bangladesh. But such parallels, while they sensationalize the issue of Balochistan and help to draw attention to it, tend to gloss over some very critical differences between the situation that existed in the erstwhile East Pakistan and what obtains in today’s Balochistan. More than the similarities, which are many, between East Pakistan of yore and Balochistan of today, it is the differences that stand in the way of Balochistan becoming another Bangladesh. Like in East Pakistan, the alienation of the people in the Baloch populated areas of Balochistan with Pakistan appears to be near total. There is an accumulated sense of grievance that is increasingly being expressed in the desire for seceding from the federation."
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Related articles:
Ministers walk out of Balochistan Assembly over Khuzdar killings, Daily Times, 19 January 2010
Senators condemn efforts to sabotage Balochistan package, The News International, 19 January 2010
38,000 Baloch youth apply for jobs, DAWN, 18 January 2010
Four Punjabi settlers killed in Balochistan, Daily Times, 17 January 2010
Strike in Balochistan over Karachi target killings, DAWN, 15 January 2010
List of 42 missing Baloch handed over to Malik, DAWN, 14 January 2010
Related posts:
Balochistan assessment: 2010, 26 December 2009
Strategic Balochistan becomes a target in war against Taliban, 22 December 2009
Balochistan: A hotbed of militancy, 4 December 2009
Balochistan: Govt ready to talk, army pulling out, 9 December 2009
Reforms for insurgency-hit province unveiled, 24 November 2009
