Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, famous for its unprecedented minerals and resources, has always been in the spotlight due to its significance. Balochistan's socio-political landscape has been affected by various factors for the past few decades. The challenges and problems are exacerbated when the core issues and facts are overshadowed by misinformation and propaganda.

Given this complex situation, it is difficult to discriminate between facts and misinformation, and it is difficult to identify the core reason behind all these problems. In the face of this uncertainty, Dilshad Balooch, a Quaid e Azam University graduate, has mentioned all these problems in his recent article, such as Human rights abuses, military monopoly over resources, and targeting Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC ) members which women-led grassroots movement.

Some issues are core and need a comprehensive solution, but it is not inappropriate to blame the state for all these deeds without information about the gravity of the situation.

In the post-truth era, access to information often blurs the lines between facts and propaganda. Balochistan's geography is also one of the reasons for its problem; its proximity to Iran and Afghanistan, where terrorists such as Takhrek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideout, makes it vulnerable to foreign interventions and cross-border Terrorism. These security challenges further elevate the grievance, leading to mistrust and strained relations between citizens and the state.

The problem is not just waging a protest and movements but must be examined from different angles. Many people who were part of BYC were found involved in the alleged activities of the internationally banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). For instance, the name of Wadood Satakzai comes from the Mach attack. Targeting suspected people by the security agency could not be labeled as enforced disappearance as the state has reason and information for such kind of activities.

India, for decades, has allegedly been involved in Balochistan to sabotage the Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and provoke Baloch citizens against the state. Kulbushan Jadhav, an Indian naval officer, was arrested in 2016; he was involved in espionage activities and targeting infrastructure on the Makran coast. Kulbushan was also involved in the Mazar Sharif attack, killing innocent civilians. In addition, The EU DisinfoLab report of 2020 confirmed a 15-year-old propaganda campaign to degrade Pakistan's global stature and reputation. These alleged activities were a clear breach of international norms and were carried out through some media outlets and with some non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Balochistan was mainly undeveloped for a long time since it served as a buffer zone against invasions from other countries. With a population of 14.89 million, it has progressed in the last few years. Many universities in the province, including the University of Balochistan and the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences, promote education and research—mass-scale infrastructure development projects like the Gwadar Port and the CPEC fuel economic growth. The government has initiated human development projects, including the Balochistan Human Capital Investment Project, to enhance health and education services. Despite interruptions in the shape of terrorist attacks and allegations of economic exploitation, the state is making efforts to generate employment opportunities and develop local resources, showing commitment towards sustainable development and quality of life enhancement.

Pakistan recognizes the right to hold peaceful demonstrations but takes severe action against individuals or groups linked to terror activities. After BYC rallies, the country witnessed a string of attacks, such as the December 2023 Mach City attack and the BLA Operation Hereof in August 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 12 and 18 people, respectively. The Dalbandin conclave in January 2025 claimed more than 20 lives, while BYC rallies have been identified as recruitment grounds for educated youth, as per mainstream BLA commander Talat Aziz, proving Pakistan's commitment to eradicating Terrorism while upholding civil rights.

All countries inevitably have fault lines that can be used against them by opposing forces by resorting to propaganda, and Balochistan is no exception to this experience. Its geopolitical location, natural resources, and historical background as a buffer state have become enormous vulnerabilities. There is a pressing need to separate propaganda from reality in trying to address ongoing issues like enforced disappearances, resource exploitation, and state repression allegations by inclusive discourse and pragmatic action. Such attempts, however, are inevitably sabotaged when local politicians and feudal lords are averse to such attempts. Their eagerness to lose control over resources and political powers breeds counterproductive exploitation circles, and the Baloch youth are alienated, thus worsening, instead of ameliorating, the situation in the region.

Abdul Mussawer Safi is a Pakistani international relations graduate keen on South Asian regional politics. He has been affiliated with think tanks such as Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS), Pak- Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF), and South Asia Times (SAT). He Twittets at @MussawerSafi1999.