Balochistan, a province located in the southwestern region of Pakistan, is abundantly endowed with valuable natural resources, including substantial reserves of minerals, oil, gas, and petroleum. However, despite these blessings, the province has suffered from unfair and unjustifiable neglect by the government, resulting in widespread sentiments among the Baloch population that they are being treated as a subordinate colony.
Grievances against the government in Balochistan have deep historical roots, particularly concerning the exploitation of its resources. The Baloch people have consistently perceived that their resources are being harnessed by the more populous and politically influential province of Punjab, while they themselves gain little from it. A glaring manifestation of this inequity is evident in the continued reliance of many Balochs on wood for cooking, despite the fact that Balochistan is home to some of the world's largest natural gas reserves. Sadly, the gas is exported to other regions of Pakistan and beyond, while the people of Balochistan remain trapped in a state of poverty and underdevelopment.
The absence of essential infrastructure and public services in Balochistan further exacerbates the situation. The province grapples with abysmal health and education indicators, along with high levels of poverty and unemployment. As the rest of the country progresses, many Balochs feel abandoned and left behind.
Moreover, the issue of missing persons is an extremely delicate subject in Balochistan. Human rights organizations have leveled accusations against the Pakistani military, alleging the abduction and killing of thousands of Balochs over the years, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for. While the government refutes these allegations, the lack of transparency and accountability only strengthens the perception among Balochs that they are living in a state of constant siege.
To summarize, the treatment of Balochistan by the government is a multifaceted and intricate predicament. Despite the province's abundance of natural resources, the Baloch people have not reaped substantial benefits from their exploitation. The dearth of fundamental infrastructure and services, coupled with the grave issue of missing persons, has engendered feelings of marginalization and neglect among the Balochs. It is imperative for the government to undertake concrete measures to address these challenges and ensure that the people of Balochistan are not forsaken in the trajectory of the nation's progress.
Shahab Yousuf Baloch
VIA email
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