For generations, the people of Balochistan have been trapped in a cycle of violence, fueled by a powerful and manipulative sardari (feudal) system. This system, which grants immense power to tribal chiefs, has kept the Baloch people in a perpetual state of conflict with the state. While these sardars claim to fight for Baloch rights, the reality is far more self-serving. Their power and influence depend on maintaining the status quo of rebellion and resistance. A peaceful and prosperous Balochistan would mean the end of their dominance.
The story of Mir Hazar Khan Marri, a former militant leader who spent decades fighting against the Pakistani state, shines a light on the destructive nature of this system. For more than 20 years, Marri led armed groups that launched attacks on Pakistani security forces. He took refuge in Afghanistan, waging a war that seemed to have no end. But after two decades of conflict, Marri returned to Pakistan with a new perspective. He realized that the war he had been fighting had brought nothing but devastation to the Baloch people. The very people he sought to “liberate” had suffered the most as a result of his actions. Marri’s decision to reconcile with the state was a pivotal moment for Balochistan. By choosing peace over continued resistance, he demonstrated that progress and development were possible only through cooperation with the state. His life became a symbol of the power of reconciliation and the futility of rebellion. Marri’s transformation stands in stark contrast to the actions of the sardars who continue to advocate for conflict. These tribal leaders, who enjoy immense wealth and power, have no interest in seeing peace in Balochistan. Their position of authority depends on keeping their people in opposition to the state, and they have used every means at their disposal to maintain this conflict.
The sardari system is not just a relic of the past—it is an active force that continues to hold Balochistan back. Under this system, the tribal chiefs wield unchecked power over their people. They control land, resources, and, most importantly, the narrative of Balochistan’s relationship with the state. By perpetuating a narrative of victimhood and oppression, the sardars have been able to keep the Baloch people in a constant state of rebellion. But the real victims of this system are the Baloch people themselves, especially the youth. For years, Baloch youth have been fed a narrative that portrays the state as their enemy and resistance as their only option. This orchestrated hatred has led to countless lives being lost and opportunities being squandered. Balochistan, despite its immense natural resources, remains one of the poorest and least developed regions in Pakistan. The sardars, who claim to fight for Baloch rights, have done little to improve the lives of their people. Instead, they have used the conflict to maintain their own power and wealth, while the ordinary Baloch suffer.
Mir Hazar Khan Marri’s life offers a powerful alternative to this destructive cycle. His decision to reconcile with the state not only brought peace to his own life but also set an example for the rest of Balochistan. Marri realized that the real enemies of the Baloch people were not the state or the Pakistani government, but ignorance, unemployment, and the manipulative power of the sardari system. By choosing peace, Marri was able to contribute to the development of Balochistan and offer a new path forward for the region. The Baloch youth, who have been led to believe that rebellion is their only option, must now look to Marri’s life as a model for change. The sardari system, which has kept them in poverty and conflict for generations, must be dismantled if Balochistan is to have a future. The youth must reject the narrative of perpetual rebellion and instead embrace a future of peace, unity, and development.
Today, Mir Hazar Khan Marri’s grandson serves as a high-ranking officer in the Pakistani military, a testament to the power of reconciliation and the potential for Balochistan’s youth to succeed within the framework of the state. This success story shows that the future of Balochistan lies not in resistance but in cooperation with the state. The real enemies of the Baloch people are not the state or its institutions, but the forces that seek to keep them in a cycle of violence and poverty. The government has a critical role to play in spreading this message of peace and reconciliation. The story of Mir Hazar Khan Marri must be told in every household in Balochistan, through books, films, and songs that celebrate the spirit of peace. By promoting this narrative, the government can help counter the poisonous rhetoric of the sardars and offer the Baloch youth a new vision for their future.
In conclusion, the sardari system, which has kept Balochistan in a state of perpetual conflict, is the real enemy of the Baloch people. Mir Hazar Khan Marri’s journey from resistance to reconciliation shows that peace is possible and that the future of Balochistan lies in unity, not rebellion. The youth of Balochistan must reject the destructive narratives of the sardars and embrace a future of peace, development, and progress within the framework of the Pakistani state.
