In the heart of Balochistan lies a city tormented by the brutal games of power; Quetta, a city manipulated by the sinister shadows of divide and rule. As an invisible wall of mistrust tears the community apart, the city becomes a breeding ground for an upcoming disaster that threatens to shatter the bonds that once held people together.
The enchanting city of Quetta, is a treasure of cultural and ethnic diversity of Baloch, Pashtun, Hazara, Brahvi, and Punjabi communities intermingling harmoniously. Discovering the unique traditions like the graceful twirls of Balochi dance, the melodious Pashto and Brahvi languages whispered in the air and tasting the aromatic flavors of mouth-watering Hazara and Punjabi cuisine. Quetta is a place where you can immerse yourself in the diverse heritage, where every corner carries a story and welcomes everyone with open arms and friendly smiles. But it has been marked by numerous security challenges and external influences. Quetta has been at the center of various conflicts too, including sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslim groups, and ethnic tensions between the Baloch and Punjabi communities. These incidents have further exacerbated the already existing divisions within the city.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Quetta was caught in the British-Russian conflict known as the Great Game. The British saw Quetta’s strategic location near Afghanistan and the frontier regions as important and established a military presence there. However, Quetta also became a battleground for ethnic and tribal groups competing for power. The British exploited these divisions to maintain control. This divide and rule strategy seems to have continued even after Pakistan gained independence. These strategies have hindered the development and progress of the region.
Such initiatives can help bridge gaps and build understanding among communities, enabling the city to overcome its challenges and tap into its true potential. A united Quetta can foster a sense of belonging, create opportunities for all, and ensure that no community is marginalized. By collectively committing to unity, Quetta can thrive as a diverse, inclusive, and resilient city
Many communities have come and gone from Quetta due to this divisive game. One example is the Parsi community, which thrived in Quetta but eventually migrated due to marginalization and mistreatment. The Parsis are Zoroastrians and descendants of Persian immigrants to the Indian subcontinent. They settled in Quetta during the British colonial era and played a significant role in the city’s development. However, as tensions escalated between different religious and ethnic groups in Quetta, the Parsis began to face discrimination and marginalization. This forced many Parsis to leave Quetta and seek safer environments. Similarly, many Punjabis faced similar challenges and also migrated to other parts of the country to escape marginalization and targeting, thus becoming a root cause of division.
Furthermore, sectarian killings are also one of the main causes of division among citizens. In the past, Quetta has witnessed numerous incidents of sectarian violence and political manipulation. One particularly notable incident took place in 2013 when a bomb blast targeted the Hazara Shia community in a crowded marketplace, resulting in the deaths of at least 84 people. This attack was widely believed to have been motivated by sectarian differences and was seen as an attempt to incite tensions among religious groups. Various political parties were accused of exploiting these tensions for their own gain and manipulating public opinion. These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the sectarian divide and the potential for political exploitation in Quetta.
It is believed that certain politicians in Quetta intentionally create divisions within the city to gain power and support. They do this by targeting specific ethnic or religious groups and using them as a voting base. Inflammatory language and the emphasis on people’s identities are used to keep the population divided. This includes making negative statements about certain groups and exploiting people’s emotions and fears.
For instance, there is a prevalent narrative that Mariabad and Hazara Town are more developed and receive more privileges from the government compared to other neighbourhoods. Additionally, there is a claim that Hazaras forbid other ethnic groups from entering their areas due to hatred, which creates tensions between communities.
Similarly, other communities refrain from entering each other’s areas out of a sense of difference and animosity, with Baloch people avoiding Pashtun areas and vice versa. This division perpetuates hatred in the society. By engaging in such tactics, this strategy only escalates tensions in Quetta and hinders the city from achieving unity and inclusivity.
The marginalization of citizens and neglect by the government have further contributed to divisions and conflicts within the city. Furthermore, ethnic political parties play a role in dividing the citizens, as they exploit and manipulate different ethnic communities for the sake of gaining votes. This leads to the marginalization of minority communities, as the majority community gains more seats and power. Another form of marginalization is seen through sectarian killings, with the Hazara community being targeted through sectarian violence. All of these factors hinder the overall development of the city, sow seeds of mistrust and hostility, and ultimately undermine efforts for investment and progress.
It instils insecurity and uncertainty in potential investors, discouraging them from investing in a divided and discordant region. This lack of investment leads to a dearth of job opportunities and economic growth as businesses are reluctant to establish themselves in such an environment.
Furthermore, the absence of social unity impedes collaboration and cooperation across different sectors of society, where Pashtun avoid investing in Baloch areas and Hazaras avoid investing in Pashtun areas due to security reasons and mistrusts,
Also they avoid hiring other ethnicities which leads to nepotism and hatred among the citizens and hinders the collective efforts towards development. Without a united front, it is challenging to implement effective policies and initiatives that can drive economic growth and improve living conditions in Quetta. It also hampers economic growth, and impede the overall development of the city.
In order to overcome the divide and rule tactics in Quetta, it is essential for the city to prioritize unity and overcome divisions. This can be achieved through various initiatives such as cultural exchange programmes and awareness campaigns. One key avenue for promoting unity is through the involvement of student wings, as they are already educated and aware of the divide and rule tactics prevalent in Quetta. They can actively promote cultural harmony and organize events such as exchange programmes, dialogues, policy-making competitions, and other activities that support the agenda of harmony, tolerance, and togetherness.
Such initiatives can help bridge gaps and build understanding among communities, enabling the city to overcome its challenges and tap into its true potential. A united Quetta can foster a sense of belonging, create opportunities for all, and ensure that no community is marginalized. By collectively committing to unity, Quetta can thrive as a diverse, inclusive, and resilient city.
