Challenges in Balochistan: ‘Development should conform with people’s vision’
Expert stresses on addressing core economic issues.
ISLAMABAD:
To derive a higher growth rate in Balochistan, we would have to improve investment by addressing core issues such as law and order and power supply.
This was said by former World Bank adviser Dr Khalid Ikram during a seminar on economic challenges in Balochistan on Wednesday. The seminar was held by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
The speaker, while giving a detailed presentation, stressed on working towards sustainable development in the province, saying that any strategy that doesn’t benefit the people cannot be helpful.
“Balochistan’s location is ideal for trade with Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics,” he said.
“The province covers 45% of the country’s land, 75% of its coastline and produces one-third of Pakistan’s natural gas and all of copper and gold. It has significant deposits of coal, marble, granite and other minerals, yet remains the poorest province,” Ikram added.
The expert was of the view that overcoming the trust deficit is the key to overcoming economic challenges, while sustainable growth is only possible if it conforms to the vision of local people.
He termed the presence of 70% of militants in Balochistan as an “outcome of extreme poverty and unemployment”, adding that the law and order situation can improve if people benefit from development policies.
In addition to that, Dr Ikram said water shortage is a major hurdle for Balochistan, as its spatial water availability is 15% less than the average of other provinces.
“The ground water has almost been used up and the most worrisome thing is that water potentially depends 72% on floods, 26% on the Indus River and only 2% on groundwater,” he explained.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.
GB style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"FedraSerifA Book";mso-bidi-font-family: "FedraSerifA Book";color:black;letter-spacing:-.25pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Every year Japan celebrates several cultural holidays with enthusiasm, which boosts patriotism among people and allows the country to move forward,” said Zainab, a student of Roots.
The first prize for the art competition was bagged by Rabiya Tariq from Springfield Public School, while the second prize was awarded to Saad Mehmood from Headstart School. Tehreem Qutab Awan, also from Springfield Public School, secured the third position. Haris Dilawar from Rawalpindi Divisional Public School and College stood first in the speech competition, while Huma Qayyum and Binte Zehra from Fazaia Inter College Jinnah Campus and SLS Montessori and High School stood second and third, respectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.
To derive a higher growth rate in Balochistan, we would have to improve investment by addressing core issues such as law and order and power supply.
This was said by former World Bank adviser Dr Khalid Ikram during a seminar on economic challenges in Balochistan on Wednesday. The seminar was held by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
The speaker, while giving a detailed presentation, stressed on working towards sustainable development in the province, saying that any strategy that doesn’t benefit the people cannot be helpful.
“Balochistan’s location is ideal for trade with Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics,” he said.
“The province covers 45% of the country’s land, 75% of its coastline and produces one-third of Pakistan’s natural gas and all of copper and gold. It has significant deposits of coal, marble, granite and other minerals, yet remains the poorest province,” Ikram added.
The expert was of the view that overcoming the trust deficit is the key to overcoming economic challenges, while sustainable growth is only possible if it conforms to the vision of local people.
He termed the presence of 70% of militants in Balochistan as an “outcome of extreme poverty and unemployment”, adding that the law and order situation can improve if people benefit from development policies.
In addition to that, Dr Ikram said water shortage is a major hurdle for Balochistan, as its spatial water availability is 15% less than the average of other provinces.
“The ground water has almost been used up and the most worrisome thing is that water potentially depends 72% on floods, 26% on the Indus River and only 2% on groundwater,” he explained.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.
GB style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"FedraSerifA Book";mso-bidi-font-family: "FedraSerifA Book";color:black;letter-spacing:-.25pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Every year Japan celebrates several cultural holidays with enthusiasm, which boosts patriotism among people and allows the country to move forward,” said Zainab, a student of Roots.
The first prize for the art competition was bagged by Rabiya Tariq from Springfield Public School, while the second prize was awarded to Saad Mehmood from Headstart School. Tehreem Qutab Awan, also from Springfield Public School, secured the third position. Haris Dilawar from Rawalpindi Divisional Public School and College stood first in the speech competition, while Huma Qayyum and Binte Zehra from Fazaia Inter College Jinnah Campus and SLS Montessori and High School stood second and third, respectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.