QUETTA: Balochistan is poised to enter a “new era of prosperity” by prioritizing connectivity and strategic sectors like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), coastal development, and mineral extraction, stated Raqib Saleem, Secretary of Planning and Development.
Highlighting a critical disparity, Saleem revealed the province’s severe funding shortfall in road infrastructure, receiving only 0.7 million rupees per kilometer compared to an average of 3.5 to 4.7 million in other provinces. This gap has historically hindered development in a region covering 44% of Pakistan’s area.
The provincial government has now ramped up its development agenda with a budget of Rs. 295 billion, targeting the completion of 3,500 projects this year. Key focus areas include improved road networks to link districts and villages, and major investment in the coastal belt, where five significant tourism projects are nearing completion.
CPEC’s hub, Gwadar, alongside vast mineral reserves in areas like Chaghi, are identified as primary economic game-changers. To address chronic issues, the province is launching large-scale solar projects to electrify remote areas and constructing 25 new dams to conserve an estimated 12 million acre-feet of water annually. A newly activated Monitoring and Evaluation Wing is overseeing over 4,000 projects to ensure timely and quality completion.
The government’s ultimate goal, Saleem emphasized, is to ensure these initiatives translate into tangible public benefits—better access to education, healthcare, clean water, and economic opportunities.
Meanwhile the inaugural session of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) convenes today, with the Balochistan government poised to present its financial challenges for the new national resource distribution award. Provincial authorities have finalized preparations to advocate for a greater share, citing severe fiscal strain.
Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Noshirwani confirmed this initial meeting will focus on outlining Balochistan’s financial position. He indicated a working group would be formed for subsequent negotiations. A key voice in the deliberations, Balochistan’s non-official NFC member Mahfouz Ali Khan, emphasized the province’s unique burdens. He stated the province’s case would center on rising poverty, the economic cost of the war on terrorism, and chronic insecurity hampering trade and social development.
