Tribal violence leaves five dead

Ongoing tribal violence centred around the southern Punjab town of Dera Ghazi Khan has left five people dead.

The clash between the powerful Bugti and Mazari tribes, which has continued since the weekend, has involved a series of raids on each other's territories.

The two tribes have traditionally been opposed to each other and such "wars" have also taken place in the past.

Indeed, the Bugti tribe has also taken on other tribes in the area apart from the Mazaris, apparently as part of a tussle for power.

Rocket launchers, hand-held grenades and other explosives have been used in the clash. Authorities are apparently reluctant to intervene for fear of instigating opposition from the tribes, the leaders of which also wield significant administrative and political power.

A solution to the inter-tribal fighting in Balochistan has never been reached despite repeated attempts over the past many decades. In the current case, control over the Sui area, from where natural gas to much of Pakistan is piped, is also said to be a factor in the tussle.

Generally, control over the Sui gas fields is seen as a huge means of exercising power – and also gives the tribe concerned more ammunition with which to battle authority.

Dozens have been killed over the past few years as a consequence of such clashes.

They may, in fact, gain further momentum in the run up to polls later this year, when tensions tend to be aggravated and feuds expanded into violent conflict.