ASSESSING THE ROLE OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE IN SHAPING ETHNIC CONFLICT IN BALOCHISTAN: STRATEGIC CHALLENGES AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN

This paper examines external actors and their role in ethnic violence activities in Balochistan and its strategic?implications for Pakistan’s national security. And at?the heart of this paper lies three questions: What regional actors inform the Balochistan conflict? How does political?marginalization of Baloch population amplify ethnic violence in Balochistan? How can Pakistan play?to neutralize these aliens? Using Saideman's Theory of Ethnic Politics and Foreign Policy, the study illustrates the extent to which external interventions related to ethnic ties and geopolitical imperatives fuel the?war. According to Saideman's theory, ethnic collision is predominantly stemming from external actors who fuel the ethno political situations, that comes primarily through some types of ethnic and religious or cultural ties and relations of an external actor with the?separatist organizations. Using qualitative content analysis, this study seeks?to gain insight on how external influences obstruct conflict resolution attempts. The results suggest that foreign meddling, especially from neighboring?states, deepens ethnic fault lines in Balochistan and constrains policy space for Pakistan. In the end of the study, some suggestions have been provided on how security measures can have a?balance with socioeconomic measures to better deal with outside actors and promote global stability.