Bhutto's predilection for a strong center and for provincial governments in the hands of the PPP inevitably arouses opposition in provinces where regional and ethnic identity is strong.

Feelings of Sindhi solidarity are maintained by Bhutto's personal connections with the feudal leaders (wadera) of Sindh and his ability to manipulate offices and officeholders.

He does not enjoy the same advantage in the North-West Frontier Province or Balochistan.

A long-dormant crisis erupts in Balochistan in 1973 into an insurgency.

The deep-seated Baloch nationalism, based on tribal identity, has international as well as domestic aspects.

Divided in the nineteenth century among Iran, Afghanistan, and British India, the Baloch find their aspirations and traditional nomadic life frustrated by the presence of national boundaries and the extension of central administration over their lands.

Moreover, many of the most militant Baloch nationalists are also vaguely Marxist-Leninist and willing to risk Soviet protection for an autonomous Balochistan.

Bhutto is able to mobilize domestic support for his drive against the Baloch.

Punjab's support is most tangibly represented in the use of the army to put down the insurgency.

One of the main Baloch grievances is the influx of Punjabi settlers, miners, and traders into their resource-rich but sparsely populated lands.

Bhutto can also invoke the idea of national integration with effect in the aftermath of Bengali secession.

Some foreign governments fear that an independent or autonomous Balochistan might allow the Soviet Union to develop and use the port at Gwadar, and no outside power is willing to assist the Baloch openly or to sponsor the cause of Baloch autonomy.

Afghanistan is preoccupied with its own internal problems and seemingly anxious to normalize relations with Pakistan.

India is fearful of further balkanization of the subcontinent after Bangladesh, and the Soviet Union does not wish to jeopardize the advantage it is gaining with Pakistan.