Uplifting Balochistan
No Balochistan MPA can cite a single scheme since that has increased state revenue or provided jobs for local people
Balochistan Assembly. PHOTO: FILE
It is not going to be easy to lift Balochistan out of the state of negative buoyancy it has been in for decades — which does not mean that such an attempt should not be made. The provincial government has tabled a set of proposals that if followed through and achieved would bring positive changes in development planning, and in doing so begin to shift the negative paradigm that has cursed the province. Politics and vested interests are to be sidelined and development monies will not be allowed to be monopolised by state legislators or ministers — a tall order indeed.
It would appear that the government this time around is prepared to back talk with action. There is Rs60 billion of development money at stake and corrupt eyes were no doubt lighting up at the prospect of billions of opportunities — but maybe not. The government has replaced the Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development with a man described as a “principled” civil servant to ramrod the sea-change. He has a considerable task ahead. No Balochistan MPA can cite a single scheme since 1985 — 1985! — that has increased state revenue or provided jobs for local people. That is not the doing of some mysterious foreign hand, or the machinations of those bent on bringing down the state; this is naked institutionalised corruption at the highest level of provincial government. That the federal government allowed this state of affairs to continue as long as it has renders it no less culpable. At least half of the proposed Rs60 billion are to be allocated with immediate effect, kick-starting the Quetta Bulk Water Supply Scheme and a Mass Transit system, to be followed by health and education facilities in all areas. We warmly welcome this bold and positive move, mindful at the same time of the hurdles that lie ahead raised by vested interests, who will be seeking their slice of a very large pie. Corruption is not switched on and off like a light bulb, but the people of Balochistan deserve a better deal that has historically been the case. We will be following closely and with considerable interest.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2016.
It would appear that the government this time around is prepared to back talk with action. There is Rs60 billion of development money at stake and corrupt eyes were no doubt lighting up at the prospect of billions of opportunities — but maybe not. The government has replaced the Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development with a man described as a “principled” civil servant to ramrod the sea-change. He has a considerable task ahead. No Balochistan MPA can cite a single scheme since 1985 — 1985! — that has increased state revenue or provided jobs for local people. That is not the doing of some mysterious foreign hand, or the machinations of those bent on bringing down the state; this is naked institutionalised corruption at the highest level of provincial government. That the federal government allowed this state of affairs to continue as long as it has renders it no less culpable. At least half of the proposed Rs60 billion are to be allocated with immediate effect, kick-starting the Quetta Bulk Water Supply Scheme and a Mass Transit system, to be followed by health and education facilities in all areas. We warmly welcome this bold and positive move, mindful at the same time of the hurdles that lie ahead raised by vested interests, who will be seeking their slice of a very large pie. Corruption is not switched on and off like a light bulb, but the people of Balochistan deserve a better deal that has historically been the case. We will be following closely and with considerable interest.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2016.