The newly independent state of Pakistan, Balochistan, is the largest province that comprises of 44% of the country's land mass and has extensive hydrocarbon and copper-gold resources, making it an economically and militarily vital region for Pakistan. With these abundant resources, the federal government will establish natural gas and copper-gold exploration through concessions to multinational corporations as well as develop a deep-sea port at Gwadar. The federal government refused negotiating with tribal elders and Baloch nationalist leaders over the local population's share of jobs and income and so, tribesmen from Marri and Bugti have engaged in low-intensity warfare. The government forces have been punished by the unruly tribes and nationalist political parties through mass arrest, forced disappearance and widespread torture because of army's failure to score victory against rebels. These attacked have caused exodus of Marri and Bugti tribes lived in different parts of Balochistan and Sindh provinces. During the exodus, around 8,000 to 10,000 people have died caused by malnutrition and disease and some survivors have lived in inhumane conditions. National and international human rights groups need to run a raised campaign to bring the plight of Baloch refugees in order for Pakistani government act to remain in place.

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Pakistan Sind Eurasia federal system Baluchistan refugee natural resource party politics human rights military intervention South Asia Asia