Pakistan, a nation built on the ideals of unity, faith, and discipline, has long struggled with a persistent challenge that threatens its very fabric: ethnic division. Although diversity should ideally be a source of strength, ethnic rivalries have repeatedly strained the country's national integration. Indeed, each of Pakistan's provinces - Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - carries a unique identity, history, and set of aspirations. And instead of celebrating these differences, they have often been manipulated for political gains, leading to grievances; unrest; and - at times - outright separatist movements. Therefore, if Pakistan is to progress as a stable and united nation, it must urgently address its deep-seated ethnic fault lines with a policy framework that promotes inclusivity, justice, and equitable resource allocation.
Undoubtedly, Pakistan's ethnic outlook is notably complex. The dominant ethnic groups - Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, and Baloch - are joined by smaller communities, such as the Hazaras, Brahuis, and Baltis. This rich diversity, ideally, should have been a cornerstone of Pakistan's cultural strength. However, successive governments have consistently failed to manage ethnic relations effectively. As a result, power dynamics, economic disparities, and political centralization have thus fueled resentment among the smaller provinces.
Taking a glance over the underlying problems aggravating Pakistan's ethnic crisis, Punjab's dominance in the federal structure has remained a longstanding issue. Due to its disproportionate representation in the military, bureaucracy, and economy, it is frequently viewed by smaller provinces as an oppressive force rather than a partner in the federation. According to their perception, a significant share of national development projects, industrial investments, and infrastructural funding has historically been concentrated in Punjab. As a result, this has led to strong feelings of economic deprivation elsewhere. Although the 18th Amendment to the Constitution aimed to decentralize power, its inconsistent implementation has diluted its intended impact, hence making the issue worse.
Moreover, ethnic grievances are not mere political rhetoric; they have manifested as tangible security threats. For instance, Balochistan - though rich in natural resources - remains one of the least developed regions in the country. Due to this, it has experienced multiple waves of insurgency as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and other militant groups have taken advantage of the province's longstanding economic and political alienation, carrying out attacks on security forces, Chinese investments, and state institutions. In response, Islamabad has thus resorted to heavy-handed crackdowns, which - unfortunately - have further deepened the resentment cycle.
Similarly, in Sindh, the urban-rural divide has intensified ethnic tensions. The rise of Sindhi nationalist movements advocating for greater autonomy reflects growing dissatisfaction with federal policies. Furthermore, Karachi, Pakistan's economic hub - though historically a melting pot of ethnicities - has also witnessed violent turf wars. Therefore, these conflicts, notably between Muhajirs and Sindhis, have only exacerbated the already fragile inter-ethnic harmony.
In addition, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), home to the Pashtun belt, has faced complex challenges, particularly related to the Durand Line, which divides Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sadly, the emergence of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a grassroots initiative advocating for Pashtun rights, highlights rising frustration with state policies. Notably, the PTM has criticized military operations and policies that disproportionately affect Pashtun communities. While the state often views the PTM with suspicion, dismissing it as externally influenced, its rise thus points to genuine grievances among Pashtuns who feel excluded from national decision-making processes.
Moreover, academics and scholars have long warned about the potential dangers of unaddressed ethnic tensions. For instance, in her book “Making Sense of Pakistan,” Farzana Sheikh argues that Punjab's overrepresentation in state institutions fuels resentment among smaller provinces, making national integration more difficult. Similarly, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in The Baloch Nationalist Movement and the State of Pakistan, offers an in-depth analysis of how the state's policies have pushed Baloch nationalists toward militancy. Additionally, G.M. Syed - a prominent Sindhi nationalist - wrote extensively on the cultural and economic marginalization of Sindhis, describing it as a form of internal colonization. Meanwhile, Riaz Mohammad, in Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations, emphasizes that Pashtun nationalism has been exacerbated by Islamabad's reluctance to resolve the Durand Line dispute with Afghanistan. Together, these scholarly works emphasize the urgent need for a recalibrated national strategy that prioritizes inclusion over coercion.
However, to counter ethnic rivalries and strengthen national cohesion, Pakistan must adopt a comprehensive national integration framework. Therefore, the following policy measures must be at the heart of this strategy.
First, the effective implementation of the 18th Amendment should be prioritized to ensure that provinces have genuine control over their resources. Additionally, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, which determines the distribution of resources among provinces, must be revised periodically to account for changes in demographics and economic contributions. Hence, this would ensure a more equitable distribution of national wealth.
Second, the Council of Common Interests (CCI), responsible for resolving inter-provincial disputes, must be empowered with real decision-making authority. Undeniably, large-scale development projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), must ensure that local communities directly benefit from investments. Otherwise, they risk being viewed as exploitative by marginalized populations.
Third, one of the biggest obstacles to national integration is the entrenched culture of feudal and patronage-based politics. Unfortunately, political elites often manipulate ethnic divisions for electoral gains rather than addressing underlying grievances. Therefore, the Election Commission of Pakistan must take strict action against divisive political campaigns. Simultaneously, institutions, such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), must effectively operate free from political interference to curb corruption at all levels.
Fourth, the rule of law must be uniformly applied across all provinces. And cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political suppression must be investigated transparently and adjudicated fairly. To accomplish this, a robust judicial mechanism is crucial to channel grievances through legal means, thus preventing frustration from spiraling into violent separatism.
Finally, Pakistan's education system should be revamped to promote inclusivity. By incorporating the histories, languages, and contributions of all ethnic groups into national curricula, the state can cultivate a shared national identity. Alongside this, investment in cultural festivals, promotion of linguistic diversity, and positive media representation are essential to nurture inter-ethnic harmony and provincial pride within a united framework.
In essence, Pakistan's path to stability lies in transforming its ethnic diversity from a source of division into a foundation of unity. And this requires abandoning coercive approaches and embracing inclusive, participatory governance that ensures justice and equitable resource distribution. Thus, the nation can only strengthen its federation and unlock its true potential through genuine integration.