Survey: 15% people in Balochistan want independence, 52% happy with status quo

[hussain.r97]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With Kashmir issue in the limelight, many Indians will point to Pakistani territories like Baluchistan, AJK and GB, two of which are still under dispute and one with an active separatist movement. What do they think? Stand by for our special poll results.</p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102042768501886976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When given a three-way choice between Status-quo, Independence, and maximum devolution (more powers for provincial government), citizens in Balochistan would overwhelmingly reject the idea of independence. <a href="https://t.co/8H2Z3v6cvw">pic.twitter.com/8H2Z3v6cvw</a></p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102047736873009152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When given a straight choice between the status-quo and independence, Pakistanis in Balochistan overwhelmingly reject the idea of independence. <br><br>In other words, thanks but no thanks, for your concern, India. <a href="https://t.co/xbWKX1NyF9">pic.twitter.com/xbWKX1NyF9</a></p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102049942384857089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the first time since the election, we have a large enough sample out of Balochistan to comment on the various party’s fortunes. MMAP appears to have made substantial gains and is now tied with BAP. BAP had won the election with a 10pt margin over MMAP. <a href="https://t.co/LvbxqEhtVO">pic.twitter.com/LvbxqEhtVO</a></p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102055420338802694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Among ethnic Baloch, only 29% support the idea of independence, 57% support the status-quo. Among Pashtun, support drops to just 12%, while 77% support of the status-quo. Support for the status-quo increases to 82% for all other ethnic groups. <a href="https://t.co/P3YN18Rww4">https://t.co/P3YN18Rww4</a></p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102056233937317888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Worrying, yes, but not as big a concern as you might think given the conversation around the region. In IOK, for example, polls have found close to 90% want independence, according to a <a href="https://twitter.com/ChathamHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChathamHouse</a> poll, and that was before the recent crackdown. <a href="https://t.co/Ucg1euAYfi">https://t.co/Ucg1euAYfi</a></p>— Roshan Pakistan Opinion Polling (@RoshanOpinion) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoshanOpinion/status/1102060170262253568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[ahsan17]

Given how much some Indians lie or twist/spin facts, they will likely ignore this or find some way to twist this. They'll probably say "48% want independence" since that's the combined number of all the options other than status-quo.

 

[King-Misbah]

Given how much some Indians lie or twist/spin facts, they will likely ignore this or find some way to twist this. They'll probably say "48% want independence" since that's the combined number of all the options other than status-quo.

Well, we need to invest in Blauchistan and reduce the independence lot even more. In shallah, I see a bright future under IK.

 

[hussain.r97]

Things aren't totally hopeless in Balochistan, but the fact that 33% of people there either want maximum autonomy or independence is cause for concern. Reconciliation and investment in Balochistan should be a top priority.

 

[Muhammad10]

This poll is rigged, Hindustani Modia is the only authority on what Pakistanis in Balochistan want.

 

[a_tahir]

Balochistan isn't going to get independance. Pakistan isn't gonna let it happen.
The pakistan of 2019 isn't the same as the one in 1971. Also the geographical location of Balochistan makes it a lot harder for india to even intervene.

 

[Fahdi]

Baluchistan has faced a lot of neglect, their politicians are some of the most corrupt and the larger parties don't have much concern about Baluchistan because it only has a few seats. That's the major reason why separatists are in such a large number. Even then the majority are happy to be part of Pakistan, with better governance these dissenting voices will die down. Let's see what Jam Kamal can do for Baluchistan along with the PTI federal government.

 

[ElRaja]

even 15% is too high.

its not about just keeping land for the sake of keeping land, its Pakistans responsibility to represent and invest in all its people.

this number has to come down, only way is education and investment. hope the larger parties take greater interest.

 

[shah_1]

Bangladesh was bound to be seperated being so far. Balochistan will never get independence or anything. This is why I always have supported 18th amendment, it gives provinces more autonomy. Most of the PM have been from Punjab due to number of seats so this 18th amendment is very important to keep everyone happy

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

15% is a big number. Ppl need to hear the grievances of those 15% to be in a better position to alleviate the sufferings of the ppl of Balochistan.

 

[KB]

The historical context serves as a useful backdrop to contemporary troubles. At the time of partition in 1947, Balochistan was politically, socially and economically the least developed of the Pakistan areas. In 1944, the literacy rate was under 2%. There were only 4 government high schools. It was a deficit province reliant on central funding. 



Balochistan was brought under British influence late compared with other regions of India and principally for strategic reasons owing to its key geo-political location. Military imperatives trumped any notions of electoral politics. Building alliances with Sardars, the colonialists strengthened the tribal idiom. In 1947 there existed an entrenched preference amongst the local power holders for autonomy and distrust of centralised authority.

Indicative of the lack of political development was the fact that the decision to join Pakistan was taken by just 54 members of the Shahi Jirga and 5 members of the Quetta Municipality.

The fact that British rule seemed to favour the northern Pushtun areas in terms of economic development and largely neglected the southern Baloch and Brahui areas would also shape later resentments.

Post-independence, in addition to the historical context, the following factors have all influenced the difficulties: principal amongst them is the often inept manner in which the Pakistan state has managed centre-province relations and at least before the eighteenth amendment the tendency to be distrustful of provincial concerns; the persistence of the sardari tribal system; the role of external intervention; the sense within Balochistan that natural resources are being expropriated for the gain of others; and the financial support provided by diasporic Baloch exiles now settled overseas.

 

[Pakistanian]

This correlates with my personal interactions with the Baloch.

 

[Hamza_]

Extensive Investment and Infrastructure is needed in the region.

It's the largest province area wise.

 

[PakLFC]

Other then Kashmir Pak can point out to many more insurgencies in India as well. Many Baluchis been neglected yet most are happy to be part of Pak. We are not blinding them or raping their ladies who are our own. Having visited Baluchistan a few times I know what I am on about where as most Indians as Omar Abdullah have no idea of what is going on in IoK. We need to uplift Baluchistan and bring them in to mainland Pak. Rightfully they feel left out when hardly any cricketers have come from that region to represent the national side.

 

[moghul]

I know many Balochs here in USA, all of them are as patriotic as anyone from Lahore and Karachi. 15% is a huge exaggeration .