If Balochistan prospers, so will Pakistan
The writer is a young community volunteer and legal rights and prison reform activist based in Lahore
Balochistan province is far from development in terms of social, political, cultural and economic aspects. Since the creation of Pakistan, the province has been lagging behind in mentioned areas. Public sector departments like education and health continue to bear the brunt of the negligence of authorities. People in much of the province also suffer from lack of basic amenities like potable water, proper sanitation, adequate electricity and gas supply, uninterrupted internet connection, proper road infrastructure, efficient transport system, etc. People have thus become hostile to the political elites of Balochistan and other developed provinces such as Punjab. This dislike, if not hatred, of other provinces has created ethnic apartheid in the country.
Since the very beginning, the Baloch have been suffering at the hands of political elites, besides being mired in ethnic problems. This has resulted in high unemployment, poor health facilities and low-quality education in the country. Currently, Balochistan has the highest unemployment rate in the country at over 4%. The lack of job opportunities in Balochistan makes the youth of the province more vulnerable compared to those in other provinces.
Health infrastructure paints a grim picture. Due to poor budget allocation and biased behaviour of political parties towards the people of the province, the situation in the health sector continues to worsen. According to one estimate, there is only 1 doctor for every 7,300 people in Balochistan.
The education sector too does not offer anything to write home about. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that only 29% of the female and 40% of the male population go to school and 66% of the children work as child labour.
About 5.94% of Pakistan’s population, or 13 million, reside in Balochistan which is the biggest province of Pakistan in terms of area, as it is spread over 347,190 sq km or 43% of the total area of the country.
The province is rich in natural resources, such as mineral deposits, as well as human resources. If these resources are properly utilised, the socio-economic condition of the province, and the entire of Pakistan, can be improved. Natural resources in the province include gold, copper, oil, precious stones, chromite and natural gas. It also has a 750km long coastline that runs along one of the world’s most important sea lanes, the Strait of Hormuz.
Given these resources, one can safely say that the prosperity of Pakistan is linked with the prosperity of Balochistan. A high employment rate or high per capita income in the province can significantly contribute to the national economy; a high literacy rate can bring out intellectuals with vision for the country; and state-of-the-art medical facilities can provide a healthy mind along with a healthy body. All these factors have the potential to produce vibrant and enthusiastic youths who can serve to propel the GDP growth and improve the standard of living of the people.
Moreover, the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has brought hope for local and regional uplift. Through CPEC Special Economic Zones, foreign investment will come to the region. Electronic, automotive, pharmaceutical and ceramic industries will flourish in the region and the establishment of power plants will overcome the energy shortage in the province and the country. Likewise, extraction of natural resources will increase the country’s exports, resulting in better lifestyle of the local people. Residents will also get locally produced products at a low price.
There is no denying that Balochistan has been suffering from poor economic conditions since the very beginning. The local leadership has failed to utilise the abundant natural resources to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the province. Feudal landlords have destroyed the political system of the province.
To conclude one must say that the prosperity of Balochistan, which is blessed with vast natural reserves, ensures the prosperity of Pakistan; and CPEC holds the key in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2023.
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