Role of Social Media in Securitization of Baloch Conflict

Abstract

Social media has revolutionized politics and transformed the conflict into new trends. This transformation does not necessarily mean that the conflict loses or gains its effectiveness rather an individualistic aspect comes into play. Baloch conflict is a pivotal issue facing Pakistan since its inception that has played a crucial role in determining its geopolitical strategy. Baloch conflict has been ignited and extinguished many times since independence of Pakistan, they have tried different tactics such as insurgency in the past, going for guerilla warfare. Recently 5th generation warfare has been employed and social media has been utilized as a platform for propagation of message. This is due to the fact that Baloch conflict is absent from mainstream media and social media, because of its freedom of speech, is filling its shoes. Even though social media has offered a space for genuine grievances, it has also provided the opportunity to insurgents and anti-state actors to spread misinformation. Its dual role of access and manipulation makes it a stage of polarization that needs to be addressed instead of being ignored. This study explores the securitization of social media as a platform and how much social media has transformed narrative and information trends about Baloch conflict and how people respond to them.