QUETTA: The Balochistan Economic Forum (BEF) has raised serious concerns over what it described as a lack of transparency and public consultation in the growing foreign interest in the province’s mineral and natural resources. The forum warned that investment initiatives were moving forward without adequate disclosure, raising questions about their long-term economic, social, and environmental impact on local communities.
In a statement issued on Monday, BEF President Sardar Shoukat Popalzai said that while foreign investment was both necessary and welcome, the people of Balochistan had placed high expectations on large-scale initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for inclusive and sustainable development. He noted, however, that the benefits of such projects had remained limited and uneven.
According to Mr Popalzai, development efforts in the province have largely focused on a narrow set of infrastructure and extraction-related activities, while critical sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, industrial growth, and employment generation have been overlooked. He said these sectors were essential for improving livelihoods and ensuring long-term economic stability for the local population.
The BEF president pointed out that several traditional industries in Balochistan had either stagnated or declined over the years. He cited the shipbreaking industry as an example, noting that it had lost its earlier significance due to policy neglect and lack of investment. Similarly, he said, industrial estates across the province had failed to attract meaningful activity and had become largely irrelevant in contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Mr Popalzai also criticised major energy and power projects, stating that despite substantial investment, these initiatives had not translated into tangible socio-economic uplift for the people of Balochistan. He argued that local communities continued to face challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and limited access to basic services, even as large projects moved forward in their areas.
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Emphasising the importance of trust, Mr Popalzai said that development without inclusion risked deepening feelings of marginalisation. He stressed that transparency, public disclosure, and consultation with local stakeholders were essential to ensure that investment projects served the broader interests of the province rather than benefiting a limited segment.
Popalzai emphasised that development without inclusion creates mistrust.https://t.co/gN4FRrFJI8
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The BEF called on the federal and provincial governments to adopt a more inclusive and transparent approach to investment planning and implementation. It urged authorities to ensure that local communities were consulted, environmental and social impacts were clearly assessed, and economic benefits were equitably shared.
The statement concluded by reiterating that sustainable development in Balochistan would only be possible if investment policies prioritised local needs, built public trust, and created long-term opportunities for employment and economic growth across the province.
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