180 - What do people of Balochistan want?

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Pakistan's early attempts to forge a single, centralized national identity, based on the Urdu language and Islam, certainly marginalized non-Punjabi ethnic groups, particularly the Bengalis, Baloch, and Pashtuns, leading to longstanding tensions.

The creation of Bangladesh in 1971 was a significant outcome of this failed centralization, as the Bengali population, despite being the majority, felt economically and politically sidelined by the Punjabi-dominated central government. The ongoing demands for provincial autonomy by the Baloch and Pashtuns underscore the persistence of these tensions.

Punjab's dominant role in politics, the military, and bureaucracy has led to a perception among smaller provinces that their voices and interests are not adequately represented. The reliance on force or military interventions to suppress demands for greater autonomy has historically exacerbated the situation.

Decentralization, with greater provincial autonomy, would be a more effective solution for promoting national integration. A federal structure that acknowledges and respects the country's ethnic and cultural diversity, while empowering regions to govern themselves in certain areas, would lead to a more cohesive and stable state. This approach emphasizes inclusivity and cooperation, rather than forced uniformity.