QUETTA: The Balochistan government has initiated formal consultations to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming National Finance Commission (NF) Award, a critical mechanism for federal resource distribution. A high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Finance and Minerals Minister, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, to solidify the province’s stance.
During the meeting, the provincial finance team provided a detailed briefing on the NFC Award, outlining Balochistan’s economic needs, expenditure patterns, and revenue structure. The session focused on reviewing preparations to develop an effective strategy aimed at safeguarding the public interest and constitutional rights of the province in the forthcoming federal negotiations.
Minister Nosherwani, addressing the officers and consultants, stated that securing the economic and social rights of Balochistan’s people remains the provincial government’s top priority. He emphasized that every effort would be made to determine and secure the province’s rightful share under the NFC framework. “Our aim is to ensure the fair and just allocation of resources for Balochistan from the federation, as our province is more underdeveloped compared to other provinces,” he asserted.
The minister revealed that the Finance Department has prepared a research-based strategy, factoring in key indicators such as Balochistan’s population, level of backwardness, vast geographical area, and other critical needs. This data-driven approach is designed to build a robust case for a larger share of federal resources. Nosherwani affirmed the government’s commitment to work closely with the federal authorities to ensure the protection of the people’s rights.
The NFC Award determines the principles for distributing national financial resources among provinces. Balochistan, the country’s largest but most underdeveloped province, has historically argued for a greater allocation based on its size, developmental lag, and sparse population, making this preparatory phase crucial for its fiscal future.
Meanwhile Health officials in Balochistan have raised the alarm over a steady and concerning rise in cardiac diseases across the province, with the year 2025 showing a significant acceleration in cases compared to the previous two years. This growing epidemic is placing immense strain on the region’s specialized healthcare infrastructure.
