Balochistan: moving forward

In an unprecedented yet important development, Balochistan will now receive a production bonus of $500,000 from a gas producing company Mari Gas on Supreme Court’s order. According to Express Tribune, Justice Jawad Khuwaja, member of a three-judge bench which heard the suo moto case observed that despite Balochistan’s high share of natural resources, only a small amount was spent on social welfare in the province. While Balochistan is far behind in development compared to other provinces, this judgment is likely to set the wheel in motion, amending the past and hopefully bringing about some positive changes in the province.

Similarly, the economic corridor project with China is not only expected to improve the investment climate in Pakistan, having an impact on the lives of 3 billion people in Asia, Balochistan being the hub will reap greater benefits from it. As Gwadar will become a regional center, east of the Persian Gulf and one of the largest deep-sea ports, it will bring about economic prospects for the province. Under the Early Harvest programme, China will invest in various energy projects including coal, solar and wind energy units. Infrastructural development and expansion of Gwadar port also being key areas, these projects will also create employment opportunities for the locals to benefit from, bringing further investment of $ 11 billion. Most importantly, as stable and secure environment is a crucial aspect of any economic project, the security situation of the province being a pertinent issue is likely to be addressed more critically.

On political front, there have been many affirmative developments to foresee a plausible change in the democratic atmosphere of the province. The willingness of Baloch nationalist political parties to participate in the general elections 2013 after 2008’s boycott set the right tone for democratic process in the country, forming an inclusive yet more autonomous provincial government. Where PPP was highly criticized for worsening the political environment in their 5 year tenure, having no writ or stability, the current government it seems has learnt a few lessons from their predecessors. PM Yousaf Raza Gillani on his visit to Quetta when questioned over poor governance in Balochistan stated that the state of law and order was a provincial subject; this lack of concern was well reflected in PPP’s federal government.

On the other hand, the coalition government in Balochistan assembly is an evident example where despite having more seats than National Party, PML (N) decided to pass up the rank of Chief Minister to National Party’s president Abdul Malik Baloch. Similarly, the inaugurating ceremony of Qauid-e-Azam’s Ziarat Residency in Quetta well attended by all key political figures and the presence of civil and military leadership together in Balochistan itself on August 14, sent out a positive but affirmative note of harmony to the world. Having said that, Zahid Hussain rightly highlights that although the return of the nationalists to mainstream politics may have given greater legitimacy to the electoral processes in Balochistan, the real challenge is brining the province’s alienated population back into mainstream. For this reason, Balochistan government in the financial budget for the year 2014-2015 has given top priority to education and health, an effort to improve key social indictors.

Contrary to the grim picture painted by the international media, Balochistan seems to be moving forward.  The real challenge however is ensuring security in the province as both economic and political stability are dependent on a suitable environment.  The complexity of security threats in the province such as insurgency, terrorism, external involvement and recent tensions on Pak-Iran border make law enforcing agencies’ role highly vital. In latest development, Iranian border force fired six mortar shells at Pakistan’s bordering town, a week after Iranian border guards had killed an FC soldier and injured another three in Mand area of the province. Prior to this, 30 Iranian border guards had stormed inside Pakistani territory, taking residents of Nakundai hostage. Under these circumstances, only law enforcing agencies particularly military can ensure a secure environment, where economic and political stability will lead towards greater provincial prosperity.

ZONEASIA-PK