Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Zafarullah Barech
The largest province of Pakistan, Balochistan, consists of 43.6 percent of total area, least literate and has a 7.5 million population only 5 percent of total population of Pakistan. Being poorest yet it provides significant share of national gas supply for industrial and domestic use, consisting of 200 coal mines that plays a significant role in industrial phase. It got the status of province after 23 years of British withdrawal in 1970. Enjoying the longest and deepest coast line of the Arabian Sea, it has gained importance among superpowers in international arena. Balochistan is considered the central hub as it plays the role of junction between South Asia, Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
Gwadar, an important district of Balochistan was the part of state of Oman. In 1958, it was purchased for 550 million rupees from Oman. In 1964, it was suggested as a suitable port and in 2002, the construction of port was initiated with China’s assistance. It is at the doorway of Persian Gulf, 180 nautical miles from Strait of Hormuz through which 40% of the world’s oil passes and it’s the largest trade route of the world. Likewise it provides the shortest route to Central Asia. Therefore, America has an eye on Gwadar for being its future “potential military base” while UAE considers it an undesirable contest.
Simultaneously, Recodiq in Chaghi is the 4th largest deposit of gold and copper in the world and it’s also known as “Hillock of Gold”. It has been proved that about $260 billion reserves are buried under Recodiq. The decision of Supreme Court has revealed that under and around “Hillock of Gold” there exists 10 million kg copper and 370 million gram gold.
Gwadar port being completed with the help of China who has an eye on it, owing to import of raw materials and oil from Middle East and export its materials through land corridor that would extend from Gwadar to Xinjiang province as the port is near Hormuz and China wants to access the sea for its land locked western provinces.
America being economic giant of the world would not be capable of maintaining its position within 25 to 30 years and might be supplanted by China within coming years. Therefore being part of “International Conspiracy”, her strategic position is to enter Afghanistan and Iran for maintaining its economic position by extracting minerals. That would only be possible by destabilizing the Province of Balochistan. According to “Corridor Conspiracy”, Balochistan would play key role in invasion of Persian Gulf and south Asia.
Consequently, America and its allies, India inclusively, doesn’t want Pakistan to gain these benefits by their strategic planning. To accomplish their policies, they use small powers sometime for solo role and at times for numerous ones. Today Baluchistan is divided among Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Province that consists of multi linguistic and ethnic groups, their geo- political and geo-strategy are the best to evaluate the importance of state.
Pakistan can germinate it’s forth leaves by demeaning revolt demonstrations and acts of brutality. The government of Pakistan has to deactivate the centripetal and centrifugal forces through strict and stern norms. For negotiations with rebellions, actions are needed rather than round table conferences. Funds to be made available, trust-deficits to be brought back, policies should be made for strong Pakistan, and not for “strong center”. Illiteracy must be counteracted by inaugurating more schools, colleges and universities. Eventually, gigantic natural resources must be urbanized in order to boost economic and social life of country, failing which, it may become a hot bet for foreign maneuverings that would result in easing their way rather than preventing them.
Published in The Balochistan Point on December 6, 2014
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the Author and The Balochistan Point not necessarily agrees with them
