Operation Shabaan Highlights Security‑Centric Approach in Balochistan

Operation Shabaan, launched by Pakistan’s armed forces, dominates headlines as the government’s flagship anti‑terror campaign in Balochistan. While the operation claims to target insurgents, analysts say it sidesteps the deeper socio‑economic triggers of unrest.

The Shahbaz government’s narrative frames Balochistan as a security hotspot, sidelining pressing issues like inadequate education, human‑rights concerns and the uneven distribution of natural‑resource revenues.

Despite massive extraction projects – especially the China‑backed copper‑gold mines and the busy Gwadar port – the province continues to grapple with a 47 % poverty rate. Basic infrastructure, job creation and reliable utility services remain elusive for most residents.

Experts assert that a purely militarised response cannot secure lasting peace. They call for an inclusive political dialogue that addresses federal‑state relations, ethnic identity and a transparent sharing of resource proceeds.

The ongoing conflict has already escalated, with militant groups such as the Baloch Republican Guards targeting power transmission towers, signaling that the security‑only strategy might deepen, rather than resolve, the crisis.