Balochistan, rich in natural resources and strategically located, has tremendous potential for economic growth and development. However, ongoing political instability and security challenges, exacerbated by groups like the BLA, BRA, and foreign-backed insurgents, have significantly hindered the region’s progress. While these factions claim to advocate for local rights, they actively disrupt development efforts, damage crucial infrastructure, and create an atmosphere of fear. This insecurity deters investment, stifles socio- economic progress, and keeps the region mired in deprivation, ultimately undermining state-led efforts to uplift the Baloch people. It is thus imperative to undertake a dispassionate view to scrutinize the efficacy of misconstrued narrative of deprivation of Balochistan.

As per Census 2023, the population of Balochistan stands at 14.89 million. The province has shown the highest average population growth rate (3.2% annually) since 2017 census. Balochistan comprises 6.2% of Pakistan’s total population, characterized by its multi-ethnic makeup, predominantly including Balochis, Pashtuns, Brahui, Hazaras, Sindhis, Punjabis, Uzbeks, and Turkmens. It is the largest of the four provinces, spreads over an area of 347,190 Square kilometres, forming 43.6% of the total area of Pakistan. The scarce population of the province has resulted into reduced representation from Balochistan in the Parliament. Out of total 336 seats of National Assembly, Balochistan share is only 20 as compared to 173, 55 and 75 of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh respectively. In Senate, Balochistan has a share of 23 seats out of total of 96 seats.

The deprivation mantra has always been a peculiarity of anti-state campaign by inimical forces. Ironically, few political elements of Balochistan have also been exponents of such misconstrued assertions. On the contrary, Balochistan is getting far greater share; the vastness and small pockets of scattered population makes it an exception. The share of Balochistan in National Finance Commission Award (NFC) has also been phenomenally increased from Rs83 million in 2010-11 to over Rs667 billion in 2024-25.

Similarly, straight transferred royalties have also been increased from Rs12.29 billion in 2014-15 to Rs20,55 billion in CFY. An amount of Rs219.561 billion has been allocated for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for FY 2024-25. The total number of schemes in the PSPD in Balochistan is 6,680 including 2,704 new schemes and 3,976 ongoing. In 2023-24 the quantum of foreign funded projects remained at Rs17.958 billion, however it was increased to Rs30.27 billion for FY 2024-25. These projects are being implemented in various sectors such as Irrigation, Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Watershed Management and others.

On the contrary, Balochistan exhibits the lowest tax collection amongst all the provinces. For FY 2023-24, Balochistan collected Rs33.7 billion in tax, while KP recorded Rs51.7 billion, Punjab recorded Rs339 billion, and Sindh topped the list with Rs361 billion.

 Approximately Rs12.02 billion by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Sector is also a substantial contribution in desolate regions of Balochistan where exploration work is in progress. These contributions include 49 x Schools benefiting over 12,000 students, 520 Scholarships and 3,405 x skilled workers training institutes, 35 x medical facilities providing annual treatment to approximately 49,000 patients, 48 Water Supply Schemes providing drinking water to approx 35,000-40,000 inhabitants and 8 roads spreading over 26.5 Kilometres in Hub, Sakran, Duraji and Dera Murad Jamali areas. Besides, a large workforce of over 57000 locals are also employed in these CSR projects.

 As far education sector, at the time of Pakistan’s independence, Balochistan had only 114 schools. Today, the province boasts 12 universities, 5 medical colleges, 145 colleges, 13 cadet colleges, 15,096 schools, and 321 technical institutes. As part of its initiative to expand access to quality education and to minimize the number of out-of-school children, Balochistan government has awarded scholarships to 75,000 students for 2024. The province has illustrated a commendable increase in literacy rate, which has risen from 5.5% at the time of independence to 54.5% in 2024. Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) is another government initiative to provide scholarships to 8,000 x school and college-level.

In Health Sector, Balochistan had only 3 hospitals and 6 dispensaries at the time of independence. This has expanded to 13 major hospitals, 18 teaching hospitals, 33 district headquarters (DHQ) hospitals, 756 basic health units (BHUs), 541 dispensaries, and 4 cardiac centres. Additionally, 8 tuberculosis (TB) centres and 24 dialysis centres have also been established, reflecting the significant strides in healthcare infrastructure.

Balochistan is also benefitting from strategic exploration projects in terms of a significant monetary share, employment opportunities and CSR contributions. Hub Power Project is one such project with a total value of $2 billion. Hub Coal Power Project has created nearly 10,000 jobs for locals in Balochistan. Similarly, the Sain dak project generates an estimated $60 million annually in revenue, with 50% of the profits going to Chinese exploration firm MCC and 50% shared between federal and provincial govts. Reqo Diq, Duddar lead-zinc mine project, multiple development projects in Gwadar including Gwadar International Airport and Water Purification Projects and Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme (UPAP) through UAE Assistance are helping inhabitants of the province to a great extent. Shiekh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Institute of Cardiology Centre Quetta (worth $27.2 million) is first of its kind facility in the province and was inaugurated in November 2022.

As far communication infrastructure (Road Networks) is concerned, in 1947, Balochistan had only 375 kilometres roads which have been increased to a vast road network of 45,640 kilometres.

Aforementioned facts are a smaller illustration of development in Balochistan. By no means the concocted narrative of deprivations stands endorsed with these facts which are seldom brought to public knowledge.

To counter these adverse influences and promote sustainable development, Balochistan’s government must harness available resources and federal support effectively, focusing on education, infrastructure, and social programs. Such efforts can empower the local population, fostering a progressive culture that resists exploitative agendas.

The author is an independent researcher who writes on issues concerning national and regional security, focusing on matters having critical impact in these milieus. She can be reached at omayaimen333@gmail.co