Climate-induced scarcity or governance failure? Denaturalizing drought in Balochistan

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most arid province, faces severe environmental challenges, including persistent droughts, groundwater depletion, and periodic flash floods, which exacerbate socio-economic vulnerabilities and inequalities in resource access. In this context, Pishin district, a predominantly agricultural region in northern Balochistan, experiences significant environmental pressures that have critically undermined its primary livelihood, agriculture. This thesis critically explores the socio-political and environmental dimensions of drought vulnerability in Pishin, employing a framework that integrates an adapted Pressure and Release (PAR) model and the Theory of Access to examine the interconnected dynamics of structural marginalization, dynamic pressures, and access to resources, to advance the discourse on critical disaster research. Using a qualitative, case study-based methodology, this research draws on in-depth interviews with government officials, key experts, and local farming communities, supplemented by participant observation and oral histories. The findings reveal that entrenched governance inefficiencies, militarized control over resources, and socio-political exclusion have intensified environmental vulnerabilities, constraining the adaptive capacity of marginalized communities. These vulnerabilities are shaped by historical marginalization, bureaucratic ineffectiveness, and inequitable resource distribution. While local communities have adopted several adaptive strategies to mitigate their vulnerabilities, these efforts are undermined by systemic governance failures, socio-economic inequalities, and unsustainable water management practices. The decline of traditional, sustainable irrigation systems such as karezes and the proliferation of tube-wells have further exacerbated groundwater depletion and environmental degradation. This thesis deconstructs the concept of disasters by critically examining how socio-political structures transform environmental hazards into disasters. It offers a localized, evidence-based contribution to the field of political ecology, emphasizing the role of governance in shaping environmental outcomes. By highlighting the critical need for governance reforms, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable water management, this study aims to advance resilience in marginalized communities and address the root causes of environmental injustice in drought-affected regions of Balochistan.