Provincial home department officials claim that security is the primary reason for this state of affairs as foreigners could be easily targeted or kidnapped. Currently, officials of friendly countries in Pakistan are also not allowed to go outside of Quetta. Iran established a consulate in Quetta more than a century ago, but no Iranian diplomat has been allowed to visit Gwadar or any other place in the province.
Some foreign journalists have been caught in and around Quetta while reporting on militancy and the Afghan civil war from Quetta. They were ultimately sent back to either Islamabad or their respective countries. Foreigners, whether journalists or tourists, who dare to come to Balochistan, are commonly perceived as spies. Two Czech women went missing and were suspected to be Western spies.
While the government claims it wants to promote development and economic prosperity, it is pursuing a policy that discourages access to foreigners, including potential investors interested in Gwadar, by barring them from travelling to Balochistan. Foreigners in Quetta and elsewhere in the province get to move around through ‘conducted tours’, which are arranged by officials.
Provincial and federal authorities are spending billions of rupees on security by deploying security personnel but the residents of the province and any foreigners who venture here still cannot be assured of being safe. It seems that we are paying a huge chunk of money for nothing. Islamabad needs to change its policy and allow at least some foreigners to explore investment opportunities in Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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Its not due to Security. Its coverup or smoke screen to cover up state attrocities.
Pakistanis are foreigners in Balochistan.Atleast as per what the Baloch Liberation Freedom fighters say.The Majeed regiment is prepared to defend Balochistan as seen on youtube.
To be fair, it isn't safe foreigners to visit Pakistan, and more specifically Baluchistan, just two months ago a Spanish cyclist almost got killed while travelling in Baluchistan despite being escorted by police.
So better be safe than sorry.
" Islamabad needs to change its policy and allow at least some foreigners to explore investment opportunities in Balochistan."
How delusional is the author here? Investment opportunities when it is unsafe to visit even?!