BALOCHISTAN has been plagued by years of instability at the hands of outfits propagating various shades of opinions. Running parallel to it has been abject poverty and chronic unemployment that have together led to the province’s descent into disorder and chaos.

As if to add fuel to the fire, the federal government, through rather abrupt decisions, shut down the Pakistan-Iran border which mostly affects life in Balochistan.

This is a great setback for the youth of this backward and neglected province who are dependent on this trade route for economic sustenance in the absence of other job opportunities. Earning a livelihood in Balochistan has become a formidable challenge for a number of reasons; one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, fragile economic and security conditions affecting industry, sluggish agriculture growth due to persisting water crisis, and lack of proper infrastructure, such as a well-maintained road network.

These harsh conditions thus compel hundreds of thousands of people to earn their bread from the economic activity generated through border trade with Iran. This trade had enabled better socioeconomic conditions in the poverty-stricken areas of Balochistan because Iranian products happen to be cheaper than the same items arriving from Punjab and Sindh.

Given the situation, it is unfortunate that the federal government, instead of developing the province to generate genuine economic activity, shuts down whatever is available. It would have been prudent had the government created alternative economic opportunities before closing down the border.

The plan to establish a border market system is yet to get translated into action as there is no progress in sight on such projects.

Another setback for the already-fragile regional economic ecosystem has been the government’s decision to grant fishing rights to Chinese trawlers stationed at the Gwadar port. This has considerably reduced the income of local fishermen who were already in dire financial straits as they hardly have any advanced equipment and boats for fishing.

Such indifference on the part of the authorities does nothing but increase the grievances of the common man in Balochistan. History tells us that poverty and starvation often act as catalysts for increased criminal activities. It is hardly surprising that in recent months there has been a sharp increase in such activities.

Short-sighted policies have been pushing more and more people towards the unknown and the unwanted. The sense of deprivation and inferiority leads to anger and hatred against the system they view to be flawed. They are right in wondering why the government only cares about Balochistan’s natural resources and its strategic position, but ignores its people.

Official policies need to engage the youth of Balochistan in educational and economic activities to ensure peace and development in the province. Else, it will remain a distant dream. To avert a socioeconomic catastrophe, employment opportunities and poverty alleviation programmes are needed on an urgent basis.

Asma Qasim
Quetta

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2021