QUETTA – A landmark decision has been made during a Grand Jirga to prioritize Balochistan’s youth in both government employment and ongoing development projects across the province.
The leadership resolved to ensure that local jobs are provided to local people, especially in projects that utilize Balochistan’s natural and economic resources.
The Jirga also announced the launch of skill-based training programs for young people to enhance employability and empower the local workforce with technical capabilities aligned with modern demands.
This shift toward local hiring reflects a long-standing demand by the people of Balochistan to have fair representation in employment opportunities arising from their own land and resources.
The aim is to reduce dependency on non-local labor, promote inclusive development, and bridge the employment gap in underdeveloped areas
Over the past ten years, various sectors in Balochistan have opened employment avenues for thousands of youth, with mixed levels of success. Key employment areas include:
Education Sector: More than 20,000 teachers were hired through merit-based testing systems to improve literacy and educational outreach.
The establishment of universities and colleges in remote districts also created academic and administrative job roles.
Health Sector: With the expansion of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and the upgradation of district hospitals, thousands of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and administrative staff were inducted, particularly under health-specific reforms and donor-funded programs.
Public Service & Civil Administration: Through the Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC), numerous competitive exams were held for posts in police, revenue, and other provincial departments.
However, delays and political interference occasionally stalled fair recruitments.
CPEC and Infrastructure Projects: Projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including Gwadar port development, road construction, and energy projects, generated skilled and unskilled labor opportunities.
Local hiring was emphasized, but often questioned for inadequate implementation.
Mining & Energy Sector: Companies operating in coal, copper, and natural gas sectors created job opportunities for engineers, technicians, and daily wage workers.
Programs were also initiated to train locals in modern extraction techniques.
Youth Development Programs: The Balochistan government, with federal and international support, launched several schemes like internship programs, IT training, and entrepreneurship funds for unemployed youth.
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Despite these efforts, challenges remain in the form of transparency issues, quota mismanagement, and lack of infrastructure in remote areas. However, the recent decisions from the Grand Jirga offer renewed hope for a more inclusive and regionally fair job distribution policy in Balochistan.
