ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the developments in Centre–Balochistan relations from 1969 to 1977. The decade of 1970s started with a positive note for Balochistan as it elevated to the status of a province. In the 1970 election, the NAP, an ally of the Awami League, emerged as the majority party in Balochistan. During the civil war in East Pakistan, General Yahya banned the NAP for allegedly conspiring to start an insurrection in West Pakistan. This was the historical and psychological baggage that the state of Pakistan carried along with it when Bhutto took over the helm of affairs post-1971. Bhutto being a Bonapartis t also played a huge role in the political developments which took place in the decade of 1970s. This decade holds a significant place in the Baloch nationalist narrative of grievances against the centre: the dismissal of the first elected Baloch government and arguably the most serious insurgency in Balochistan. This chapter argues that the lack of political acumen of the Baloch leadership, Bugti and Mengal–Marri rivalry, tribal feuds in Balochistan, Bhutto’s reluctance in recognizing the NAP’s mandate, state’s security perception post-1971 war and the separation of East Pakistan were the main reasons for the political instability in Balochistan during the 1970s.
