Khalilzad Warns of ‘Worrying’ Situation in Balochistan, Calls on Pakistan to Reform Policies

Former U.S. diplomat and former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has described the situation in Pakistan’s Balochistan province as worrying and alarming, citing violent attacks by Baloch separatists and ongoing military operations.

Khalilzad, writing on his X (formerly Twitter) page, also highlighted the crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, noting that the Pakistani government shows no flexibility, which has further deteriorated the situation.

He urged the Pakistani government to form a strong team of experts to analyze domestic crises and act on their recommendations to address the country’s challenges.

Khalilzad said:
“Considering the deadly attacks by Baloch separatists and military operations in Balochistan, the situation is worrying and painful. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is in crisis, and the country’s recognized political leader, Imran Khan, remains in solitary detention. The Pakistani government is rigid and shows no flexibility in its approach. By continuing this behavior, it risks digging a deeper hole for itself. It is essential for the government to form a strong team of experts to analyze domestic crises and implement their recommended solutions.”

So far, the Pakistani government has not responded to Khalilzad’s recent comments. His recommendations come at a time when multiple political parties in Pakistan have also criticized the government’s policies as the cause of the country’s growing problems and have called for policy reforms.

Political analysts say that the Pakistani government’s approach toward Pashtuns and Balochs has been improper, exacerbating national challenges. 

Political expert Idris Mohammadi Zazai stated:
“In my view, Pakistan must now make changes to its policies. If it fails to do so, the country may face even greater difficulties and crises.”

Khalilzad has previously warned that the ongoing security situation in Pakistan poses a serious threat to the stability of the country and, if left unchecked, could even lead to its fragmentation.

Some experts note that Islamabad has historically used violence and injustice against Pashtuns and Balochs, and the current situation stems from the mismanagement of the country’s security institutions. 

Military analyst Akhtar Mohammad Rasikh added:

“Khalilzad’s recommendations for Pakistan are valid. All analysts, policymakers, and national strategy planners must come together to guide the country out of its current crises.”

Observers warn that if the Pakistani government continues to rely on force to resolve domestic issues, the country risks sinking into political, security, and economic instability from which recovery may be extremely difficult.