Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least developed province, continues to suffer from systematic exploitation, economic deprivation, and political neglect at the hands of the Pakistani state. Despite being rich in natural resources such as gas, coal, gold, and copper, Balochistan remains one of the most underdeveloped regions in South Asia. The Pakistani government has long extracted wealth from the province while providing minimal benefits to its people. This article delves into how Balochistan has been exploited by Pakistan, how its resources have been misused, and how its people continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of basic rights.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of natural resources, yet the benefits of these resources hardly reach the local population. Some of the key exploited resources include:
Balochistan contributes significantly to Pakistan’s natural gas supply, particularly from the Sui gas fields, discovered in 1952. However, while cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi enjoy uninterrupted gas supply, most areas of Balochistan itself remain deprived of this essential resource. Despite producing about 40% of Pakistan’s total natural gas, Balochistan receives less than 10% of the revenue generated from its extraction. The lack of gas supply in Balochistan not only affects households but also hampers industrial development, further keeping the region economically backward.
The province has vast reserves of copper, gold, and other valuable minerals. The Reko Diq mine, one of the largest gold and copper deposits in the world, is being exploited by foreign companies with the backing of the Pakistani establishment, while the local population remains impoverished. Pakistani authorities sign agreements with international firms, often ignoring the rights and concerns of the local Baloch people. The revenue generated from these mining operations is funneled towards the central government rather than benefiting the people of Balochistan, leaving them in perpetual poverty despite living in a resource-rich land.
The Gwadar port project, a key component of the CPEC initiative, has been presented as a means to develop Balochistan. However, the reality is starkly different. The economic benefits of the port are reaped by Chinese investors and Pakistan’s central government, while the local Baloch population remains marginalized. Fishermen in Gwadar have lost their livelihoods due to the influx of Chinese trawlers exploiting marine resources, leading to increased economic difficulties for the local communities. The promises of development and job creation made by the government remain unfulfilled, deepening the frustration and resentment among the local population.
Despite contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economy through its natural wealth, Balochistan remains the least developed province in terms of infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Balochistan’s road network remains underdeveloped, with many villages lacking basic connectivity. The health sector is in shambles, with only a handful of hospitals serving a large population. Many areas lack basic healthcare facilities, and patients often have to travel to Karachi or Quetta for treatment. Education in Balochistan is in a dire state, with a literacy rate below 40%, the lowest in Pakistan. Schools lack teachers, infrastructure, and resources, further pushing the youth into a cycle of poverty and deprivation.
Unemployment is rampant in Balochistan due to the lack of industries and job opportunities. Many educated Baloch youth are forced to leave their homeland in search of jobs in other parts of Pakistan or abroad, leading to a brain drain that further weakens the province’s prospects for self-reliance. Farmers in Balochistan suffer from severe water shortages due to the mismanagement of resources by the federal government, further exacerbating poverty. The absence of investment in local businesses and industries has kept the province dependent on agriculture and informal labor, both of which are unreliable and unsustainable for economic growth.
Pakistan has systematically oppressed the Baloch people through military crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. The Pakistani state has waged an ongoing campaign of repression against the Baloch people, targeting political activists, intellectuals, and students who dare to raise their voices against the injustices faced by their community. Thousands of Baloch individuals have been abducted by Pakistan’s security forces, often never to be seen again. Families of the missing continue to protest for justice, but their cries are met with silence and further crackdowns.
Thousands of Baloch activists, students, and intellectuals have been abducted by Pakistan’s security forces, often never to be seen again. Mass graves have been discovered in Balochistan, believed to be the result of state-backed extrajudicial killings of Baloch nationalists and activists. Families of the disappeared live in constant fear and uncertainty, unable to seek justice due to the government’s strict control over law enforcement and the judiciary in Balochistan.
In 2019, the discovery of mass graves in Khuzdar shocked human rights organizations, yet no accountability measures were taken against those responsible.
Political leaders and activists who speak against the exploitation of Balochistan are routinely harassed, arrested, or even killed. Balochistan’s political representation in Pakistan’s federal government remains weak, with decisions being imposed from Islamabad rather than reflecting the will of the Baloch people.
For example, in 2020, Baloch activist Karima Baloch was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Canada. Many believe her killing was linked to Pakistani intelligence agencies due to her outspoken criticism of human rights abuses in Balochistan.
The Pakistani state heavily censors news related to Balochistan, preventing the global community from knowing the extent of the region’s suffering. Journalists covering human rights violations in Balochistan often face threats and violence, leading to a lack of transparency about the crisis in the province.
The people of Balochistan deserve justice, economic empowerment, and the right to self-determination over their resources. To achieve this, the following steps must be taken:
The revenue generated from Balochistan’s resources should primarily benefit the local population, ensuring better living standards and economic development. Local businesses and workers should be given priority in projects like Gwadar port and CPEC.
The Pakistani government must stop its repressive policies and ensure the safety and dignity of Baloch citizens. Political dialogue with Baloch leaders should be encouraged instead of military crackdowns.
The government must invest in building roads, hospitals, and schools to uplift the people of Balochistan. Special economic zones should be created in Balochistan to provide employment opportunities and boost local industries.
Balochistan, despite being rich in natural wealth, remains one of the most exploited and underdeveloped regions in Pakistan. The Pakistani establishment has long treated the province as a colony, extracting its resources while providing little in return. The people of Balochistan have suffered immensely due to economic deprivation, political suppression, and human rights abuses. It is time for the Pakistani state to address these injustices, give the Baloch people control over their resources, and ensure development that benefits them rather than a select few in Islamabad. Only through equitable policies and genuine efforts for the upliftment of Balochistan can the deep wounds of exploitation and neglect be healed.
