Healing Balochistan’s Wounds: A Path to Peace and Stability

Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan

Dear Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif,

I write to you in response to the official communiqué issued following the assembly of Parliament’s National Security Committee, which you presided over on March 18, 2025. In this meeting, you reiterated your commitment to eradicating terrorism from Pakistan, with particular emphasis on Balochistan.

The recent atrocity—the hijacking of a train that resulted in the tragic loss of innocent civilians—has plunged the nation into grief and shame. This heinous act stands among the most harrowing episodes in our country’s history. Both the Pakistani people and the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, have strongly condemned this cowardly and despicable attack.

During the session, you spoke with resolute clarity, affirming that the nation remains united in its fight against terrorism and pledging unwavering resolve to eliminate this existential threat. Furthermore, you emphasized that political leadership across the spectrum stands in solidarity on national security matters, bound by a shared commitment to eradicating this menace. Inspired by your declaration, I feel compelled to share my insights on Balochistan and to implore you and your esteemed cabinet to take a leading role—not only in dismantling terrorism but also in cultivating trust and goodwill among the resilient people of Balochistan.

I sincerely hope you are fully aware of the deep-seated afflictions fueling the specter of terrorism in Balochistan. Chronic unemployment, pervasive poverty, ineffective governance, systemic corruption, and the unequal distribution of resources have collectively sustained and worsened this crisis. These conditions create a breeding ground for extremism and hopelessness, perpetuating a vicious cycle of violence and alienation. Over time, separatist organizations have exploited these vulnerabilities, preying on the disillusionment of Baloch youth, who are trapped in dire economic hardships and a lack of opportunities.

For decades, I have felt a profound connection with the Baloch people, driven by my passion for energy and water. In my experience, the Baloch are among the most innocent and straightforward people in Pakistan. They deeply value courage, honor, and retribution. There is a saying: “If you share a single word of wisdom with them, they will remember it for a hundred years.” Their resilience is shaped by the unforgiving and harsh environment they endure, which has become a defining characteristic of their identity.

Although Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate in the country, increasing access to the internet and social media—particularly among the middle and lower-middle classes—has broadened awareness and exposure to national and global developments. Despite systemic challenges, Baloch students and professionals have demonstrated remarkable intellect and competence, excelling in various fields when given opportunities.

My first visit to Balochistan was in the mid-1990s, and my most recent visit was just a few years ago. Tragically, I observed little substantive change over those decades, except that the grievances of the youth have multiplied many times over. Thirty years ago, I saw nomads wearing plastic sandals under the scorching 50-degree Celsius heat, and to my dismay, I witnessed the same scene during my last visit.

Dear Prime Minister,

Your visits to Balochistan are often limited to just two cities—Quetta and Gwadar—during brief day trips. Have you ever considered spending more time in this region to truly understand its socioeconomic conditions? Have you drawn comparisons between Balochistan and Rajasthan? Both regions possess comparable natural resources, yet the disparity in their development is staggering. Rajasthan’s economy is now the seventh-largest state economy in India, boasting a gross domestic product of $120 billion and a substantial per capita GDP. Is it not shameful that Balochistan, despite its vast resources, remains mired in poverty and neglect?

During my travels, I have witnessed extreme poverty in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and Balochistan. Despite its wealth in minerals and its significant contribution of natural gas to the entire country, Balochistan—which constitutes 44% of Pakistan’s total land area—suffers from severe poverty and underdevelopment, with 71% of its population living below the poverty line.

I have often asked the youth of Balochistan why the wellhead price of Sui gas remains at a mere $2 per MMBTu, while the federal government imports LNG from international markets at over $20 per MMBTu. Why this glaring disparity in pricing? What tangible benefits have been provided to the Baloch people, whose lands have fueled the nation’s economy for decades? Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have profited immensely from this gas, earning billions of dollars—yet what has Balochistan received in return?

The Sui Gas Field, considered Pakistan’s largest natural gas reserve, held an estimated 1.6 trillion cubic feet as of 2017 and accounted for 20% of the country’s total gas production by 2007. Would it not be just and fair to establish a commission to evaluate the financial benefits Balochistan has received from these resources? It is time to address these disparities with the seriousness they deserve. Let us ensure that the immense wealth of Balochistan serves not just the nation but also its own people, who have endured far too long in the shadows of neglect and underdevelopment.

Dear Prime Minister,

You, who have long been recognized as a visionary in infrastructure development since your ascension as Chief Minister in February 1997, carry the weight of a legacy built on delivering grand projects. Your ability to execute mega-projects on time and within budget has been a defining feature of your leadership, inspiring national confidence in your governance.

It is with profound sorrow that I appeal to you, for surely you are well aware of the Planning Commission’s vital role in shaping the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). For 34 years, you have seen its mandate—to appraise, approve, and monitor projects, ensuring their alignment with national development goals. Yet, despite these promises, Balochistan remains trapped under the burden of unfulfilled commitments.

My heart broke when the floods of 2022 ravaged Balochistan, breaching more than 25 small dams—an unforgivable tragedy. While the Government of Pakistan attributed the disaster to climate change, a more troubling reality emerged when the contractors’ association revealed the bitter truth: over 50% of the funds allocated for these dams had been siphoned off by ministers, bureaucrats, and engineers. This is the damning reality of infrastructure in Balochistan—one shaped not only by nature’s fury but by corruption and negligence.

The failure, however, does not rest solely on Balochistan’s provincial government, whose governance has long been inadequate. Equal responsibility lies with the Federal Flood Commission and the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Had these institutions fulfilled their duties, these dams would have withstood the torrents, shielding communities instead of crumbling into devastation.

May I humbly request that you bring the truth to light? Please disclose the outcomes and impacts of PSDP projects executed in Balochistan from 1990-91 to FY 2023-24. The people deserve to know what has been gained, what has been lost, and what remains undone.

The Planning Commission, fortified by decades of resources and staffed with a brigade of skilled personnel, was established to guide the nation’s progress. Yet, its Member Monitoring and Evaluation, whose sole mandate is to reveal the true impact of PSDP projects, has languished in dormancy for decades. If only this wing had been active, and a professional hand had been steering the helm, the chasm between planning, budgeting, and the harsh realities on the ground would have been laid bare for all to see.

Respected Prime Minister, surely you have sought answers about Balochistan’s progress. Have you been told of the rare triumph that is the Mirani Dam? Completed in 2007, this dam in Kech District stands as a beacon of what could be—a reservoir of 302,000 acre-feet, bringing life to barren lands. Its waters transformed the region, raising crop yields, increasing livestock, and uplifting the socio-economic conditions of those within its 134 square-kilometer command area. Children returned to schools, savings grew, and livelihoods flourished—a testament to the power of thoughtful execution.

Yet how ironic it is that the story ends here.

In 2009, WAPDA unveiled plans for medium-sized dams, promising completion within three years. Yet, like many before them, these projects remain unfulfilled due to a lack of funds—a familiar challenge in Balochistan’s history. Had these dams been built, and PSDP projects fully realized, Balochistan could have been transformed. Instead, opportunities have been lost.

Prime Minister, is it not time to break this cycle? To ensure the Planning Commission fulfills its role and WAPDA delivers on its commitments?

Balochistan, a region rich in potential, remains held back by neglect and inaction. It is an undeniable truth, proven by science and history, that dam construction drives prosperity. From the employment generated during construction to the sustained benefits of irrigation and power, these projects are vital. The success of the Mirani Dam stands as proof, yet similar opportunities continue to be lost.

Agriculture, the backbone of Balochistan’s economy, sustains 75% of its rural population, contributes two-thirds of its GDP, and employs 60% of its labor force. Yet how ironic that a land known for its fertility struggles with water shortages, leaving its people without opportunities. The graduates of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, and other institutions clutch their degrees—symbols of ambition turned to ashes in their hands. These youth, instead of building and innovating, are driven by despair to smuggling across borders.

Is this not a tragedy? That the very land known as Pakistan’s “fruit basket,” producing grapes, cherries, almonds, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, and dates, now imports the same fruits from Iran, China, and Afghanistan? If only the water from long-delayed dams flowed through Balochistan’s fields, this province could reclaim its rightful place—not just feeding its people but exporting bounty worth over $2 billion annually.

How cruelly have WAPDA, FFC, and the Planning Commission failed to share the truth of these stalled projects with you, Prime Minister? Their silence is a betrayal, their delays a scourge upon the livelihoods and futures of Balochistan’s people.

Even nature seems to plead for action. Altered rainfall patterns, the devastating floods of 2022, and winter rains all signal urgency. With visionary leadership, Balochistan could transform into a fertile expanse akin to Rajasthan, producing wheat, barley, gram, mustard, and pearl millet.

Prime Minister, is it not time to rise to this moment? To let water flow through Balochistan’s lands, empower its youth, revive agriculture, and unlock prosperity? Let this be the turning point.

Unlocking Balochistan’s Marble Reserves for Economic Growth and Opportunity

Pakistan, blessed with an estimated 297 billion tons of marble and granite—more than 150 varieties resting in Balochistan’s rugged terrain—remains idle while others prosper. In Khuzdar, Loralai, Chaghi, and Lasbela, these treasures lie dormant, waiting to uplift the economy. Yet, the reality is a woeful shadow of what could be.

A mere two percent share in the global marble market—earning just $200 million annually—stands in stark contrast to our vast resources. Italy, China, and others take our raw blocks, re-exporting them as polished marvels, reaping billions in value-added riches. Is this not a wound upon the pride of a nation so richly endowed?

The tragedy deepens with Balochistan’s idle power plants. The 1,200-megawatt Hubco and 1,320-megawatt Hub coal power plants stand as monuments of untapped energy, while capacity payments drain billions. Why must this energy not illuminate the path to prosperity—powering marble extraction and refinement, bringing life to Balochistan’s economy?

Is it not time to awaken, dear leaders? To cast out the serpents within before waging battles afar? Prime Minister, the moment calls for vision. Assign your industrious Special Assistant for Industries & Production to rally Balochistan’s geology graduates, transforming these resources into emblems of progress.

Relocate the Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) from Islamabad to Lasbela, bringing employment to Balochistan’s youth and easing Pakistan’s circular debt burden.

Will you, dear Prime Minister, turn this tragedy into triumph? Let Balochistan rise, and with it, let Pakistan claim its rightful place in the marble markets of the world.

A Choice for Balochistan’s Future: Daanish University or Dams?

Dear Prime Minister,

At a time when Balochistan suffers, with soldiers and civilians paying the ultimate price, the decision to establish the Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences in Islamabad—using £190 million transferred from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s account—raises serious concerns.

Islamabad already hosts 14 public and 11 private universities. Has the Steering Committee, led by the Minister of Planning, assessed the existing state-of-the-art facilities before proposing another one?

As a co-founder of the Energy Excellence Centers at NUST Islamabad and Engineering University Peshawar, established in 2011, I would like to share my troubling experience with the state of higher education in Pakistan. These centers were set up with full financial and technical support from USAID, with the U.S. State Department providing state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to establish research facilities for solar, hydropower, wind, and thermal energy. Their primary objective was to help Pakistan overcome the energy crisis that began in 2007.

One of the key goals of these centers was to formulate policies, develop strategies, and prepare roadmaps while also serving as mentors for the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Petroleum. Regarded among the best in Asia, they also received support from USAID and the U.S. State Government, which facilitated advanced training at the University of Arizona, USA, to equip professionals with the expertise needed to drive Pakistan toward energy security.

Yet, despite the brigade of PhDs these centers housed, they failed to resolve the circular debt crisis—a failure that has turned Pakistan into a global begging bowl. If anything, the Executive Directors of these centers accomplished something else entirely: they mastered the art of self-enrichment, securing high-profile positions as Vice Chancellors and even becoming members of the Science and Technology Planning Commission. One of them is now likely drafting the charter for Daanish University.

Perhaps these centers should be credited for practically demonstrating how nations fail—so much so that they could snatch the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics from the authors of Why Nations Fail.

I do not request accountability, but I do request that you visit these centers. Let them earn their deserved Nobel Prize for their unmatched contribution to proving, in real-time, how an institution meant to rescue Pakistan’s energy sector became a ladder for personal advancement and financial gain.

If your commitment is to eradicating terrorism and fostering development in Balochistan, I humbly request you to redirect this £190 million toward building five dams in the province. These could be completed within two years, bringing hope, employment, and stability to the region.

This initiative would not only improve livelihoods but also demonstrate your government’s dedication to Balochistan’s progress—far more meaningful than another university in an already saturated education hub.

You will not stand alone in this effort. During my tenure at the Planning Commission in 2008, I developed a real-time monitoring system for infrastructure projects. I volunteer to implement this system for the dams, ensuring full transparency and quality control. This would allow you, the people of Balochistan, and all Pakistanis to track progress in real-time, shifting social media discourse towards nation-building instead of division and despair.

This existential struggle against terrorism cannot be left solely to our valiant security forces. It demands collective action and political resolve. I propose the following:

1. Deploy Ministers to Balochistan – Assign federal ministers to engage directly with students and communities, instilling hope and a shared vision for progress.
2. Federal Scholarships – Award five scholarships per district at the intermediate and high school levels to promote academic excellence.
3. Summer Camps – Permit all universities in Balochistan to organize summer camps in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, fostering national integration and educational enrichment.

These measures, under your leadership, will restore hope, build trust, and lay the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity in Balochistan.

Sincerely,
Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi
Member, Board of Governors – CRSS Islamabad
0333-5144405