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Baluchistan: A province stripped of its due share
Global Village Space |
Baluchistan is at the heart of the conflict between the Pakistani government and Baluch nationalists who are demanding independence from Pakistan. This southwestern province
is Pakistan’s largest and most natural resource-rich and has been affiliated with violence since Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
Despite being a rich province both in resources and culture, people of Baluchistan continue to suffer due to the apathy of Provincial and Federal government.
Natural resources of Baluchistan have been mercilessly used by the state but no investment was made in the socio-economic development of this province. As a result, human development index of Baluchistan is lowest in all over Pakistan.
Over US$1 trillion worth of natural resources have been discovered in
Baluchistan including, Gold, Copper, Black pearl, Oil, Valuable Stones, Coal, Chromite and Natural Gas. Additionally, Baluchistan has an Oceanic coastline that stretches along with one of the world’s most important shipping routes i.e. the Straits of Hormuz. Baluchistan’s resources could potentially support its population and bring prosperity to the region. This province does not need any foreign aid for its development.
Natural resources of Baluchistan have been mercilessly used by the state
but no investment was made in the socio-economic development of this province.
As a result, human development index of Baluchistan is lowest in all over Pakistan.
Read more: Naval sailors attacked in Baluchistan: another attempt to slow down CPEC?
Baluchistan: A sorry tale
Baluchistan, rich in resources leaves us in discontent. The composition of Baluchistan economy is very different from the national economy. This is depicted from the false hopes given to citizens during budget planning execution and allocation. The current coalition government total budgetary outlay was less than Rupees 200 billion but
now figures have doubled, hence the question arises, will resources availability improve the socio economic conditions of the people? Baluchistan has also become the epicenter for growing regional rivalries and warfare. But the lack of action by the government and army has led to a stepped up hatred for the Pakistani state among Baloch youth, a
terrible climate of fear has engulfed Baluch people because of the targeted killings and the collapse of the local economy and jobs as businesses flees the province.
Read more: ‘It is your debt to this land’: Ch. Nisar exhorts FC…
Baluchistan ranked far below in less developed regions of the country.
While the Sui area of Dera Bugti remains plentiful, yet it’s shocking to see that none of it benefits the residents of the district. Instead, the Gas is exported to other provinces like Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh.
No organ of the state has fulfilled its promises to the Baloch people over the past two years. Parts of eastern Baluchistan suffered massively from the devastating summer floods, but aid workers say help to the Baloch farmers have been far less than in other parts of the country. Baluchistan problems remain unaddressed. The province natural gas fuels entire Pakistan but is not reachable to many parts of the province. Allocation of funds to unapproved projects was one of the reasons why the budget was not utilized. A survey indicates that the total province economy is less than Rupee 8 billion.
Baluchistan ranked far below in less developed regions of the country. While the Sui area of Dera Bugti remains plentiful, yet it’s shocking to see that none of it benefits the residents of the district. Instead, the Gas is exported to other provinces like Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh. But people of Dera Bugti are still cooking their food on open fire and sticks. For 67 years, Pakistan has been benefitting from Baluchistan’s natural resources, while people of Baluchistan suffers due to the indifference of federal government.
Read more: Baluchistan’s Real Tragedy: Politics & Corruption continue to drive “Jobs &…
Responsibilities of state towards Baluch population
The federal government and provincial government should realize their responsibilities and use the natural resources of Baluchistan for the social well-being of the Baloch people. This is the only way to improve the quality of living of all those who live in Baluchistan.
Despite being the least populated province, more than 52%of the population lives
below the poverty line, the literacy rate is around 29%. Female primary
school enrolment is barely 20% and nearly one-third of the population is
unemployed.
Despite being resource rich, the province has acquired the status of a “lagging region” where living standards and social indicators are amongst the lowest in the country. The real problem in Baluchistan is
poverty and it may be the biggest cause of violence here.
Despite being the least populated province, more than 52%of the population lives
below the poverty line, the literacy rate is around 29%. Female primary school enrolment is barely 20% and nearly one-third of the population is unemployed. The province has Pakistan’s most anemic growth record, worst infrastructure, worst water crises and weakest fiscal base. It has highest poverty, lowest social indicators and weakest state
institutions.
Read more: Is Baluchistan in Pakistan or…?
Alarming indicators
The ratio of poverty in Baluchistan is higher than any other province, despite the fact that it is rich with reserves of gas coal, gold, and copper. Only 20% of people here have an access to safe drinking water compared to 86% in the rest of Pakistan. Village
electrification is only 25% compared to 75% in the rest of the country. Only 6% of the land is cultivable and productivity is low because of the arid conditions.
A major chunk of funds Baluchistan receives from the federal divisible
pool are either wasted through corruption or bad governance. This is something that has to be sorted out in Baluchistan.
Simply put, Baluchistan is losing approximately Rs28 billion from its
due share in the federal divisible pool due to manipulation of poverty
figures. It must be noted that all three provinces are consuming the
amount Baluchistan is losing.
These figures seem more realistic because there is a huge difference between poverty figures of Baluchistan and other provinces. Moving to the interesting part, when the new poverty figures extracted from Report on Multidimensional Poverty 2016 are used for provincial share calculation as the 7th NFC than the share of Baluchistan jumps
from 9.09 per cent to 10.41 per cent. The estimated amount of the federal divisible pool for the fiscal year 2016-17 was Rs2.135 trillion. An increase of 1.32 per cent in the share of Baluchistan translates into approximately Rs28 billion.
Read full article.........
Baluchistan: A province stripped of its due share
Global Village Space |
Baluchistan is at the heart of the conflict between the Pakistani government and Baluch nationalists who are demanding independence from Pakistan. This southwestern province
is Pakistan’s largest and most natural resource-rich and has been affiliated with violence since Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
Despite being a rich province both in resources and culture, people of Baluchistan continue to suffer due to the apathy of Provincial and Federal government.
Natural resources of Baluchistan have been mercilessly used by the state but no investment was made in the socio-economic development of this province. As a result, human development index of Baluchistan is lowest in all over Pakistan.
Over US$1 trillion worth of natural resources have been discovered in
Baluchistan including, Gold, Copper, Black pearl, Oil, Valuable Stones, Coal, Chromite and Natural Gas. Additionally, Baluchistan has an Oceanic coastline that stretches along with one of the world’s most important shipping routes i.e. the Straits of Hormuz. Baluchistan’s resources could potentially support its population and bring prosperity to the region. This province does not need any foreign aid for its development.
Natural resources of Baluchistan have been mercilessly used by the state
but no investment was made in the socio-economic development of this province.
As a result, human development index of Baluchistan is lowest in all over Pakistan.
Read more: Naval sailors attacked in Baluchistan: another attempt to slow down CPEC?
Baluchistan: A sorry tale
Baluchistan, rich in resources leaves us in discontent. The composition of Baluchistan economy is very different from the national economy. This is depicted from the false hopes given to citizens during budget planning execution and allocation. The current coalition government total budgetary outlay was less than Rupees 200 billion but
now figures have doubled, hence the question arises, will resources availability improve the socio economic conditions of the people? Baluchistan has also become the epicenter for growing regional rivalries and warfare. But the lack of action by the government and army has led to a stepped up hatred for the Pakistani state among Baloch youth, a
terrible climate of fear has engulfed Baluch people because of the targeted killings and the collapse of the local economy and jobs as businesses flees the province.
Read more: ‘It is your debt to this land’: Ch. Nisar exhorts FC…
Baluchistan ranked far below in less developed regions of the country.
While the Sui area of Dera Bugti remains plentiful, yet it’s shocking to see that none of it benefits the residents of the district. Instead, the Gas is exported to other provinces like Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh.
No organ of the state has fulfilled its promises to the Baloch people over the past two years. Parts of eastern Baluchistan suffered massively from the devastating summer floods, but aid workers say help to the Baloch farmers have been far less than in other parts of the country. Baluchistan problems remain unaddressed. The province natural gas fuels entire Pakistan but is not reachable to many parts of the province. Allocation of funds to unapproved projects was one of the reasons why the budget was not utilized. A survey indicates that the total province economy is less than Rupee 8 billion.
Baluchistan ranked far below in less developed regions of the country. While the Sui area of Dera Bugti remains plentiful, yet it’s shocking to see that none of it benefits the residents of the district. Instead, the Gas is exported to other provinces like Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh. But people of Dera Bugti are still cooking their food on open fire and sticks. For 67 years, Pakistan has been benefitting from Baluchistan’s natural resources, while people of Baluchistan suffers due to the indifference of federal government.
Read more: Baluchistan’s Real Tragedy: Politics & Corruption continue to drive “Jobs &…
Responsibilities of state towards Baluch population
The federal government and provincial government should realize their responsibilities and use the natural resources of Baluchistan for the social well-being of the Baloch people. This is the only way to improve the quality of living of all those who live in Baluchistan.
Despite being the least populated province, more than 52%of the population lives
below the poverty line, the literacy rate is around 29%. Female primary
school enrolment is barely 20% and nearly one-third of the population is
unemployed.
Despite being resource rich, the province has acquired the status of a “lagging region” where living standards and social indicators are amongst the lowest in the country. The real problem in Baluchistan is
poverty and it may be the biggest cause of violence here.
Despite being the least populated province, more than 52%of the population lives
below the poverty line, the literacy rate is around 29%. Female primary school enrolment is barely 20% and nearly one-third of the population is unemployed. The province has Pakistan’s most anemic growth record, worst infrastructure, worst water crises and weakest fiscal base. It has highest poverty, lowest social indicators and weakest state
institutions.
Read more: Is Baluchistan in Pakistan or…?
Alarming indicators
The ratio of poverty in Baluchistan is higher than any other province, despite the fact that it is rich with reserves of gas coal, gold, and copper. Only 20% of people here have an access to safe drinking water compared to 86% in the rest of Pakistan. Village
electrification is only 25% compared to 75% in the rest of the country. Only 6% of the land is cultivable and productivity is low because of the arid conditions.
A major chunk of funds Baluchistan receives from the federal divisible
pool are either wasted through corruption or bad governance. This is something that has to be sorted out in Baluchistan.
Simply put, Baluchistan is losing approximately Rs28 billion from its
due share in the federal divisible pool due to manipulation of poverty
figures. It must be noted that all three provinces are consuming the
amount Baluchistan is losing.
These figures seem more realistic because there is a huge difference between poverty figures of Baluchistan and other provinces. Moving to the interesting part, when the new poverty figures extracted from Report on Multidimensional Poverty 2016 are used for provincial share calculation as the 7th NFC than the share of Baluchistan jumps
from 9.09 per cent to 10.41 per cent. The estimated amount of the federal divisible pool for the fiscal year 2016-17 was Rs2.135 trillion. An increase of 1.32 per cent in the share of Baluchistan translates into approximately Rs28 billion.
Read full article.........
Baluchistan: A province stripped of its due share
