Balochistan, once an underdeveloped region in terms of Education, Infrastructure, and unrest, is now at the middle of the renewed push for progress. The provisional government, backed and supported by federal government, is making efforts to transform the province. In a recent meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan in Lahore, Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said ‘’Development of Balochistan is among our top priorities.’’ Later, on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter CM Balochistan expressed satisfaction and called the cooperation of federal government a ‘’positive sign’’. Additionally, current details of these efforts and projects show a visible Balochistan moving slowly from the margins a more significant place in Pakistan’s development narrative. Federal government is playing crucial role in transforming Balochistan’s economy, infrastructure, health, education, and public welfare. However, the development projects revolve around various areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and public welfare.
The cooperation between federal and provisional governments is already resulting in positive impacts. The above sectors are witnessing are visible shift, one that suggests that Balochistan is currently in the path of development. In addition, there are several glimpses of an improving governance in the province, revolving around change in government policies, prioritizing key sectors, and curbing corruption. Hence, it can be said that challenges persist and reforms are underway.
A significant area of focus is education. Through the Balochistan Endowment Fund (BEEF), thousands of students have received scholarships. Reportedly, since, 2024, more than 33,000 students have received their scholarships. Programs such as regular scholarships, fully funded BS programs, and special funds for minorities, transgender students, and children of martyrs are bridging the education gap in the province.
Undoubtedly, these reforms not only empower the youth but also lay the groundwork for a more skilled and self-reliant generation of Balochistan.
In addition, infrastructure plays a vital role in connecting the province with the nation. It provides opportunities for commerce and trade between other provinces. Infrastructure is always an essential element in the path to peace and prosperity of the whole country. So, the Infrastructure development is cornerstone of government’s strategy. In the same vein, federal government has committed over 400, billion for connectivity and road projects. These projects include dualization of N-25 highway, the construction of M-8 motorway, and the development of Gwadar to Ratodero road. These projects are aimed to provide access to remote regions, boost trade, and better integrate Balochistan with the rest of the country. Moreover the projects include dualization of various roads such as; Khuzdar-Kuchlak section of National highway ( N-25), Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Road, construction of Hoshab-Awaran -khuzdar motorway, and many others.
In the same way, both governments are paying attention to Public Welfare and health. The facilities include; new health care facilities, mobile clinics, clean water initiatives, and poverty alleviation programs. In fact, the goal of these reforms is to get the remote areas in touch with government services. Moreover, efforts are also made for improving child health care, specifically in underserved areas, through the deployment of modern equipment and trained medical personnel’s.
Despite all these changes and reforms, challenges persist. Security issues such as terrorist attacks on development projects, have delayed significant initiatives. However, the government of Balochistan remains committed to serving its people and continuing the path to progress, peace and prosperity.
Precisely, the symbols on change and progress in Balochistan are real and sustaining. The strong cooperation between both governments, strategic investments, and people-centric policies, are getting the attention for the province which it deserves. If the recent pace of development continues, and challenges are managed wisely, Balochistan could soon emerge as a contributor to Pakistan’s national growth and stability.
