By Sadaf Nadeem
Political exclusion in Balochistan goes beyond the mere denial of representation, participation, and voice to certain groups or regions in political decision-making processes.
Instead, it involves the absence of genuine political representation, resulting in a lack of agency and empowerment for the people. Marginalization, on the other hand, is the process through which these groups are pushed to the periphery of political, social, and economic systems, leaving them underrepresented and underserved. In the case of Balochistan, these two concepts are deeply intertwined and manifest in the region’s historical and ongoing struggles.
Despite being Pakistan’s largest province by area and home to 12.34 million people (as per the 2017 Census), with the 2023 Census estimating its population at 14.89 million, Balochistan remains underdeveloped despite its natural resources and strategic importance.
Understanding Balochistan’s current political marginalization requires critical examination of its geography and history. This opinion piece aims to shed light on the causes of Balochistan backwardness, analyze the root causes of its marginalization, and propose actionable reforms to address its challenges.
Historically, the region has faced neglect and exclusion under various governing authorities. During the British Raj, Balochistan was treated primarily as a buffer zone, with minimal focus on the welfare or development of its people.
After independence, northern Balochistan, which was formerly British Balochistan, continued to be governed as a “Chief Commissioner’s Province,” limiting its autonomy and political representation. Meanwhile, Kalati Balochistan remained under the rule of the Khan of Kalat until its formal accession to Pakistan. Balochistan, in its current territorial form, was officially granted provincial status in 1970. Major decisions regarding resource allocation and infrastructure development were often made without consulting local communities. Even under Pakistani rule, local governance has remained weak, with key decisions frequently dictated by federal authorities rather than the region’s own people.
This historical marginalization continues to manifest in Balochistan’s present-day political structure, where representation remains a major challenge. This lack of local representation and the continued disregard for the rights and aspirations of not only the Baloch people but also other communities such as Pashtuns and Hazaras has hindered Balochistan’s ability to harness its vast potential for political, economic, and social development.
The political structure in Balochistan, even after partition, reflects the marginalization of its people. As per the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Balochistan holds 16 general seats and a total of 20 seats in the National Assembly. While it accounts for 44% of the country’s total area, its representation in the National Assembly is significantly lower due to seat allocation being based on population rather than land area. Given that Balochistan has the lowest population among all provinces, its parliamentary representation remains limited. This may be one of the reasons that it has resulted in a sense of disenfranchisement among the local population, which feels excluded from national decision-making processes. This lack of effective political representation is further compounded by governance failures and financial constraints, deepening local grievances.
Political marginalization is further compounded by the presence of the Sardari system, a traditional tribal leadership structure often marked by corruption and limited democratic participation. As noted by political experts, this system has significantly stunted the development of a more inclusive and transparent local governance system in Balochistan. For instance, tribal leaders often influence the distribution of development funds, leading to uneven resource allocation.
The lack of political representation and weak governance structures have deepened the grievances of the people. Political analysts, including Dr. Kaiser Bengali, argue that Balochistan’s political issues cannot be addressed without strengthening effective provincial autonomy. While the 18th Amendment granted provinces more control over their affairs, Balochistan has struggled to generate sufficient revenue to meet its financial needs. Despite expectations that provincial autonomy would lead to economic self-sufficiency, the province continues to face budget deficits and remains heavily dependent on federal transfers, which account for nearly 70% of its total budget. This raises questions about the effectiveness of financial autonomy and whether further decentralization is needed.
Since significant federal funds are allocated to Balochistan, misgovernance and corruption have led to inefficient utilization of these resources, particularly in critical infrastructure such as education and healthcare. Without addressing these systemic governance failures, financial autonomy alone cannot resolve the province’s long-standing issues.
This political exclusion extends beyond just electoral representation. Local governance in Balochistan is largely shaped by the Sardari system, which remains influential in determining the allocation of resources and political power. While most political representatives are local, the real concern is how they come into power, often through patronage and elite influence rather than democratic accountability. This system is frequently criticized for perpetuating corruption and a lack of transparency.
For instance, while significant federal and provincial funds are allocated for development, these funds are often mismanaged or distributed through politically influential individuals and groups rather than being used to directly benefit the local communities. As a result, many areas remain deprived of basic services such as clean water, education, and healthcare. The challenge is not merely a lack of federal funding but rather the inefficiency and corruption within local governance structures, which are disconnected from the needs of the people and lack public accountability mechanisms.
To move forward, it is critical that Balochistan’s political system is reformed to promote greater local participation, democratic representation, and transparency. The establishment of a more inclusive governance model, coupled with mechanisms to monitor resource allocation and service delivery, is essential to ensuring that development efforts truly address the needs of Balochistan’s population.
Without significant political reforms, Balochistan will continue to face the devastating consequences of marginalization, including persistent underdevelopment, social unrest, and widening inequality. To address these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize by strengthening political inclusion through meaningful representation at both provincial and federal levels. Empowering local governance with greater autonomy and resources is equally vital, ensuring that development aligns with the needs of the people.
Additionally, addressing deep-rooted issues such as corruption, the exclusion of marginalized communities, including lower-income groups, women, and ethnic minorities, and the lack of transparency in resource allocation is imperative. By adopting these measures, Balochistan can not only overcome its current challenges but also emerge as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s socio-economic growth and stability.
Author: Sadaf Nadeem – Research Assistant at the Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) at BUITEMS Quetta. She holds an MPhil in Education and is currently enrolled in a PhD program, with a keen interest in political marginalization, governance reforms, and educational development.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).