Conflict of Baluchistan: An overview of root causes
Background
The landscape of Baluchistan is comprised of an area over half a million square kilometers in the southeastern part of the Iran plateau, south of the central deserts and the Helmand river. The Baluchs are the main ethnic group in the province, followed by Pashtuns. The majority of the inhabitants are Sunni Muslims. A small number of Shia’s and Hindus also reside in the province. The province is divided between three countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. The largest part of Baluchistan belongs to Pakistan. In spite of the natural resources in the Baluchistan province including chromites, fluorite, marble, gold, gas, iron and petroleum which are of prominent importance , it has remained one of the poorest provinces in Pakistan. The province has been marginalized throughout h...