The situation in Balochistan has been complex for decades starting with the way in which Balochistan became part of Pakistan following independence in 1947. In recent months, the insurgency there has picked pace, but many forget that there are two insurgencies roiling the province. In addition, the economic situation is dire, with citizens facing abject poverty and a continued extractive approach to economic development.

This episode is an Urdu conversation with Rafiullah Kakar, a public policy expert based in Quetta. Rafiullah writes a column for Dawn, which is a must-read. You can find his writings here: https://www.dawn.com/authors/8211/raf…

Reading Recommendations:

– Wretched of the Earth By Frantz Fanon

– Justice by Michael Sandel

– Islamic Exceptionalism by Shadi Hamid

– Remotely Colonial by Nina Swidler

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:30 Understanding the insurgency

15:55 Politics in Balochistan

35:20 Baloch views on CPEC

47:30 Frustration of the youth

53:20 Reading recommendations