Pakistan has been facing crucial problems for the last one decade such as war on terror, uprisings in Balochistan, Karachi unrest, energy crisis, and the floods of 2010 to name a few. The issue of Balochistan needs more attention as it is being highlighted in national and international media. The issue needs to be handled with care as there are outside forces involved in breaking our country once again.  The Dhaka incident should not be forgotten.Firstly, we have to understand the Geo-strategic importance of Balochistan it is a link between South Asia, Middle East, Central Asia and the Arabian Sea. The Geo-economic importance of the area is also very important as it is the hub of great energy resources. Right after the independence of Pakistan, the question of greater Balochistan emerged. The National Party and other nationalist organization joined Khan of Kalat to seek independence for the province. The Khan of Kalat wanted accession of Balochistan with the Indian union, but he did not succeeded. Let’s discuss what is aggravating this situation, firstly we will find that Balochistan comprises of tribal system, the tribal leaders are ruling elites and the common Baloch are not involved in politics and above all the politics of these tribal leaders is based on their specific region. They don’t involve themselves in national politics. So there is a lack of democracy, so to speak. Secondly, the Baloch nationalist think that all the mega-projects are geared to accommodate the people of other provinces and to benefit them, because the participation and employment of local Baloch in these projects is very low, and they think the same about the gas royalty. Their province was the last to get gas, even though it originated from there. The common belief is that they are exploited by the Central Government and their resources are used in other areas, which causes justified agitation.Thirdly, area wise, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan, and gas was discovered in 1952 but still there is no industrialisation and the province lacks basic infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, drinking water facilities etc. Fourthly, the agitation and instability is supported by the tribal chiefs, who are involved in anti-state activities to promote and maintain their personal power and interests. Therefore, there is much more external intervention in anti-state activities done by Baloch nationalist and Tribal leaders; they are supported by the agencies of different countries to destabilise Pakistan.Now, I come to the solution. Firstly, the government should announce the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan; the benefits of this package must be seen at grassroots level; so that the people of Balochistan feel that Federal Government is interested in their development. Secondly, more social projects should be launched and the job quota in Federal Government and Armed Forces should be increased. A good step taken by the COAS that he decrease the merit for Baloch students as well for commission officer and for soldiers. Thirdly, the federal government has to improve education in the province and develop the technical institutes so that they can accommodate the employers of mega projects. The Cadet College Sui established by Pak Army is a good step; such more colleges should be established to provide standard education to the students of Balochistan. Fifthly, there is much need of industrialization in the province, it will attract investors and provide opportunity of employment. Special incentives should be given to private investors, so that they launch industries in Balochistan. There is need of a strong media strategy to enlighten the development and progressive steps taken by the government to improve the national integration and increase patriotism in the province. Strict steeps need to be taken to counter measure the intervention of foreign agencies. The interest of India in Afghanistan and the close relation between India and Iran also must be monitored. MUHAMMAD NASIR REHMAN, Islamabad, September 3.