Islamabad, August 15: A recent report indicates that Pakistan’s harsh governance approach has exacerbated extremism in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This has deepened political divisions and increased instability. Ongoing protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK) further reveal the depth of the country’s internal turmoil, which cannot be understated by international goodwill.
The credibility of Pakistan as a potential peace mediator abroad ultimately hinges on its ability to establish domestic peace and political stability. According to a report by the International Center for Peace Studies, the economic growth rate is projected to be just 3.5% for 2025-26. The report mentions a $7 billion relief package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while public debt stands at 68.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The country urgently needs genuine political leadership capable of resolving internal conflicts and ensuring long-term political and economic stability.
The report elaborates that Pakistan’s regional units, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the illegally occupied Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), are grappling with political unrest, violent clashes, and increasing alienation among citizens. Although the reasons for protests vary across regions, key issues include excessive centralization by the federal government, deep economic inequality, and political marginalization. In all these matters, the civilian government has abandoned its responsibility to politically resolve these conflicts.
According to the report, the Pakistani armed forces portray these conflicts as acts of treason or mere law-and-order issues, denying the political legitimacy of protests and accusing demonstrators of acting on behalf of external powers. This overly “security-centric” response not only undermines the prospects for resolving grievances through democratic means but also fosters a cycle of distrust, alienation, and confrontation.
The report notes that in 2023, 93% of insurgent attacks occurred in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with that figure rising to 95% in 2024 and 2025.
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