Muhammad Akram Bugti
Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan in terms of land area, is the most neglected and underdeveloped region despite its vast natural resources. Economic exploitation is a major problem, as seen in projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), where Balochistan gets only 25% of investment, while the federal government and other provinces contribute more. Similarly, only 25 percent of the profits from the Recodec and Sendak mining projects go to Balochistan; the rest is controlled by the federal government and foreign companies. The province’s natural gas reserves have fueled cities like Karachi and Lahore for decades, yet places like Dera Bugti, where needle gas is produced, lack this essential resource. Political marginalization adds to this economic vulnerability, as despite covering 44 percent of Pakistan’s land area, Balochistan has only 20 of the 336 seats in the National Assembly. Although all provinces are provided with equal representation in the Senate, senators are elected by provincial assemblies rather than directly by the people and are less accountable. The dominance of feudalism and tribalism also hinders development, with powerful tribal chiefs (chieftains) opposing educational and infrastructure development in order to maintain control over the population. In some areas, chiefs even resisted building schools for fear that education would empower people to challenge their authority. Balochistan has been plagued by insurgency and security challenges for decades, characterized by complaints of resource control and political exclusion. Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army often attack infrastructure, security forces, and foreign investment. In August 2021, a suicide attack targeted Chinese engineers working on the CPEC project in Gwadar, highlighting security issues that hindered economic growth. Sectarian violence is another major issue affecting especially the Hazara Shia community, which has repeatedly been targeted by extremist groups. In January 2021, 11 Hazara coal miners were brutally killed in an attack claimed by ISIS in Mach. The province’s education crisis is alarming, with a literacy rate of 44 percent, well below the national average of 59 percent. Female literacy is less than 25 percent, and in some areas, such as Awaran, only 25 percent of children attend school due to lack of facilities and security threats. Healthcare is equally backward, with only one doctor for every 1,200 people compared to 600 doctors in Punjab. The 2016 bombing of the Quetta Civil Hospital, which killed more than 70 doctors and lawyers, further weakened an already fragile health system. Water scarcity is another major challenge, as Quetta’s underground water reserves are rapidly depleting and could be depleted by 2030. Despite being a major port city, Gwadar is dependent on water tankers due to a lack of a proper irrigation system. Unemployment is high, and industrialization and employment opportunities are limited. Most of the skilled labor in CPEC projects is recruited from other provinces, creating jobs for local youth. The unemployment rate in Balochistan is more than 10 percent, which is much higher than the national average of 6.3 percent. Neglected infrastructure is another concern, as only 25 percent of roads in the province have been paved, making transportation difficult in remote areas. Power outages in Quetta and Gwadar often last for 10-12 hours a day, affecting businesses and daily life. Ethnic tensions add another layer of instability, as communities like the Hazaras suffer targeted killings, while Baloch and Pashtun political parties vie for control of resources. Corruption is a further impediment to development, as seen in the 2016 scandal in which Balochistan Finance Secretary Mushtaq Raisani was caught with Rs. 730 million in cash, revealing the illegal appropriation of public funds. Such corruption and bureaucratic incompetence have left many development projects unfinished. For 70 years, the problems of Balochistan have not been resolved due to systemic negligence. Addressing these challenges requires genuine political representation through more seats in the National Assembly and direct elections to the Senate, ensuring equitable distribution of resources that brings education and human security benefits to local people through projects like CPEC and Recodec, enhancing education and human security benefits for local people, investment at the bottom, and local control to create local employment and tribal control. Compliance needs to be ensured. Community involvement. Without these reforms, Balochistan will suffer losses, which will affect the stability of not only the province but the nation as a whole.
Student of Political Science Institution: International Islamic University Islamabad.
