Karachi – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the solution to Balochistan’s challenges lies in political consensus, not force. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, he described terrorism as Pakistan’s top challenge but stressed that Balochistan requires a political way forward.

“There has been an observable increase in terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This will inevitably create a national security dynamic which will affect society. It’s not a military solution in Balochistan, it’s a political one,” Bilawal told reporters.

He linked the surge in violence to Afghanistan, saying that cross-border attacks had increased since the Taliban’s return to power. Quoting the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), he highlighted that terror incidents in August rose by 74% compared to July.

Security Reality vs. Political Consensus

Analysts, however, warn that political consensus cannot succeed unless militant violence is neutralised first. They note that terror incidents since 2021 are tied to sanctuaries in Afghanistan, confirmed by United Nations reports and Pakistani intelligence.

Political efforts in Balochistan have repeatedly been undermined by externally backed outfits like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has targeted schools, markets, and infrastructure, reversing years of development progress.

Also see: Sarfraz Bugti Links Advocate Arrest to BLA, Vows to Counter ‘Terrorism in Disguise’

Just this week, a bomb targeted the Jaffar Express in Mastung, injuring over a dozen passengers after four bogies derailed. In another incident, a BLA suicide bomber struck a convoy in Kech, killing one soldier and injuring 12 others.

Floods and Farmers’ Crisis

Bilawal also spoke on flood devastation and the agricultural crisis, urging that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) be used for immediate relief to farmers.

“We had requested that flood victims be supported through BISP, just as was done during previous floods and COVID. If this is not being done today, then what is the fault of South Punjab’s people?” he asked.

He defended BISP as Pakistan’s most effective safety net, noting that even Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders had praised it in the past. The programme, he added, has been internationally recognised as a model for social protection.

Wider State Response

Observers argue that relief and development already form part of the state’s national policy. Projects under CPEC, Reko Diq revival, Gwadar Port expansion, and federal transfers to Balochistan demonstrate a commitment that goes beyond political rhetoric.

Flood recovery and agricultural support are also being addressed at the federal level through fertilizer subsidies, credit schemes, debt relief, and climate-resilient crop initiatives. In March, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched the Climate Risk Fund-I (CRF-I), backed by $102 million from the World Bank, to protect vulnerable farming communities and microfinance institutions (MFIs) against climate-related shocks, particularly floods.

Also see: Indus Floods and the Price of Neglect

Experts caution that politicizing relief for party credit undermines the very national unity Bilawal himself called for. They stress that Pakistan’s social safety net goes beyond BISP to include the Ehsaas Programme, Kissan Packages, and federal flood relief schemes, all part of a wider, state-led protection framework.

Path to Lasting Peace

Security analysts caution against viewing terrorism only through the lens of the Taliban’s 2021 return. Pakistan has endured multiple waves of militancy since 2001, countered by major operations including Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad, and ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs).

They warn that domestic political instability and conflicting narratives embolden militants, erode public resolve, and create confusion about state policy. Families of fallen soldiers are increasingly questioning whether their sacrifices are being respected.

Also see: Captured Militant Confession Renews Focus on Cross Border Terrorism from Afghanistan

Long-term peace in Balochistan, officials and observers maintain, requires a combined approach, security, development, and political inclusion, rather than the false binary of “political versus security” solutions. 

They call for a joint, unambiguous national declaration of zero tolerance against banned groups including the TTP, BLA, and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). This battle is not only military but also political, ideological, and social. Only a comprehensive national strategy can guarantee lasting peace and stability in Pakistan.