Analysis of the Article: Pakistan Can’t Erase Its Terror-Brand Identity

Analysis of the Article: Pakistan Can’t Erase Its Terror-Brand Identity While Continuing to Weaponize It by Prasad Nallapati

The article by Prasad Nallapati, published on March 19, 2025, presents a critical examination of Pakistan's current socio-political and security crises, with a particular focus on the escalating insurgency in Balochistan and the broader implications of terrorism fostered by the Pakistani state. Titled "Pakistan Can’t Erase Its Terror-Brand Identity While Continuing to Weaponize It," the piece argues that Pakistan is teetering on the brink of collapse—described as the "Cusp of Implosion"—due to internal divisions and the unintended consequences of its military’s policies. Below is a detailed analysis of the article’s key themes, arguments, and evidence.

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1. The Balochistan Crisis: A Symptom of Systemic Failure

The article opens with a vivid account of recent attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant group in Balochistan, to underscore the deteriorating security situation. Key incidents include:

• Jaffar Express Attack: Militants hijacked the train, taking 214 hostages, including 100 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. The BLA claimed to have executed all hostages after a failed rescue operation by the Pakistani Army, while the Army initially reported only 5 civilian deaths, later admitting to 23 FC soldiers and 8 civilians killed.
• Mastung Police Station Raid: On the same day, BLA militants raided a police station, seizing arms and gaining local support.
• Military Convoy Attack: A suicide mission targeted eight buses, with the BLA claiming 90 FC deaths, though the Army reported only 5.

Nallapati highlights a recurring theme: the Pakistani Army’s tendency to underreport casualties, likely to preserve its public image. This discrepancy suggests a lack of transparency and an attempt to control the narrative, a tactic the author notes is common in conflict zones.

The Balochistan issue, once a localized grievance, has evolved into a regional challenge. Nallapati argues that the BLA has gained "strategic depth" by forging ties with Afghanistan and Iran—ironically, a goal Pakistan’s military long pursued against India but failed to achieve. This shift is attributed to Pakistan’s own policies, such as airstrikes in Afghanistan (killing 46 in December 2024) and strained relations with Iran over groups like Jaish al-Adl, which have pushed neighboring countries to tolerate or support Baloch insurgents.

Baloch Demands and Grievances: The article portrays the Baloch demands as "simple and genuine"—equal treatment and respect from the Punjabi-dominated elite. Balochistan, despite its vast mineral resources and the strategic Gwadar port (a key Chinese investment), remains underdeveloped, with locals feeling exploited. The enforced disappearances of Baloch youth by the Pakistani Army are a central grievance, driving the armed struggle. Statistics cited include:

• 8,463 missing persons cases (2011–January 2024) per Human Rights Watch.
• 10,078 enforced disappearances recorded by Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry, with 2,752 in Balochistan.
• 144 disappearances and 46 killings in the last month alone, per the Human Rights Council of Balochistan.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, led by women like Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Baloch, has amplified these issues globally, particularly through a 2023 protest march. Mahrang’s abduction in December 2024 further escalated tensions, reflecting the movement’s growing influence and the state’s repressive response.

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2. Terrorism: A Monster Turning on Its Creator

Nallapati asserts that Pakistan’s "terror-brand identity" stems from its military’s historical support for jihadist groups, a policy now backfiring. The article lists:

• 80 terrorist/extremist groups, 45 of which are active, many created or backed by the Army.
• India-focused groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which persist despite bans, adapting by renaming themselves (e.g., The Resistance Front, People’s Anti-Fascist Front post-2019 Kashmir status change).
• Anti-state groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which have turned against the military, and a new outfit, Harakat Inqilah Islami Pakistan (IIP), explicitly targeting Pakistani forces.

The author suggests that the Army’s control over these groups is waning, exacerbated by internal fissures following the dismissal of Imran Khan’s government. This political upheaval has exposed cracks in the military’s authority, with officers questioning leadership and social media amplifying dissent.

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3. Pakistan on the "Cusp of Implosion"

The phrase "Cusp of Implosion" encapsulates Nallapati’s central thesis: Pakistan faces existential threats from both separatist movements (like Balochistan’s) and terrorism, both rooted in the Army’s policies. The federal structure is fraying as provinces demand autonomy or threaten secession, while the military, once the nation’s unifying force, is losing legitimacy. The article warns that without swift action, the Army may stage another coup, perpetuating a cycle of authoritarianism.

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4. Historical Context and a Call to Action

Nallapati traces Pakistan’s troubles to its "bloody creation in 1947" and its reliance on "jihadi nonsense," which has alienated neighbors and fostered internal enemies. He urges Pakistanis to rethink their polity, prioritizing welfare and development over militarized ideologies. The urgency is palpable: failure to act risks further instability or military takeover.

Critical Evaluation

• Strengths: The article effectively ties the Balochistan insurgency and terrorism to broader systemic issues, supported by specific examples and statistics. The regional dimension—Baloch ties with Afghanistan and Iran—adds depth, showing how Pakistan’s foreign policy missteps have domestic repercussions.
• Weaknesses: The author’s tone is polemical, potentially undermining objectivity. Claims like the Army’s direct creation of 80 terror groups lack detailed evidence in the text, relying on assertion. The dismissal of Army casualty figures as untrustworthy is plausible but not substantiated beyond speculation.
• Perspective: As a former Indian official and think-tank president, Nallapati’s critique aligns with India’s narrative of Pakistan as a terrorism sponsor, which may color his analysis (e.g., dismissing Pakistan’s accusations of Indian involvement as a "common refrain").

Conclusion

Prasad Nallapati’s article paints a grim picture of Pakistan as a nation unraveling under the weight of its own contradictions. The Balochistan crisis exemplifies the failure of a Punjabi-dominated state to address regional grievances, while the proliferation of terrorism—once a tool of state policy—now threatens national cohesion. The "Cusp of Implosion" is a stark warning: without a radical shift away from militarism and jihadist ideologies, Pakistan risks disintegration. Whether this prognosis is alarmist or prescient depends on how these crises evolve, but the article compellingly argues that Pakistan’s terror-brand identity is both its creation and its curse. 

P.S

Okay, let's break down this article. It's talking about Pakistan's current situation, particularly focusing on the Balochistan issue and terrorism. The author, Prasad Nallapati, seems to be arguing that Pakistan is in a critical state, with its federal units threatening to break away and terrorism, which the Pakistani Army has allegedly nurtured, now turning against the state itself.

First, the article mentions an attack on the Jaffar Express train by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), where hostages were taken, including Frontier Corps personnel. There's a discrepancy in the casualty figures reported by the BLA and the Pakistani Army, with the Army likely underreporting to save face. This is a common tactic in conflict zones to control the narrative.

The author points out that the Baloch movement has evolved from a local issue to a regional one, with ties to Afghanistan and Iran. This is interesting because it suggests that the Baloch insurgents have gained strategic depth, something Pakistan has historically sought in Afghanistan but failed to achieve. The article implies that Pakistan's own policies have backfired, leading to this situation.

The Baloch demands are portrayed as simple and genuine: equal treatment and respect from the Punjabi-dominated ruling elite. The province is rich in resources but feels exploited, especially with China's involvement through projects like the Gwadar port. The enforced disappearances of Baloch youth by the Pakistani army are highlighted as a major grievance, leading to armed struggle.

The article also mentions the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, led by women like Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Baloch, who have brought international attention to the issue through protests. The statistics on enforced disappearances are staggering, with thousands of cases reported, many ending in mass graves or mutilated bodies.

The author uses the phrase "Cusp of Implosion" to describe Pakistan's situation, suggesting that the country is on the verge of collapse due to internal strife and the terrorism it has fostered. There are numerous terrorist groups in Pakistan, many allegedly created or supported by the Army, but now some of these groups, like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are turning against the state.

The article also touches on the political situation, mentioning the dismissal of Imran Khan's government and the resulting fissures in the Army. There's a sense that the Army's control is slipping, with new militant groups forming and targeting the military.

In conclusion, the author calls for the Pakistani people to reflect on their country's history since 1947 and establish a new polity focused on welfare and development, rather than jihadist ideologies that create enemies among neighbors. The urgency is emphasized, as the Army might seize power again if action isn't taken swiftly.

Overall, the article paints a grim picture of Pakistan's current state, attributing much of the crisis to the Army's policies and the country's historical focus on jihadist ideologies. It suggests that the Balochistan issue and terrorism are symptoms of deeper systemic problems that need addressing for the country to move forward.