Under the Khushhaal Balochistan Programme, a wide network of development projects has been established across the province with the sole objective of building a stable and prosperous Balochistan. When viewed through the lens of “Vision Balochistan 2030,” the province today appears to be moving rapidly on the path of development.
The programme encompasses a range of initiatives, including communication infrastructure, dam construction, and efforts to address water scarcity. For the fiscal year 2025–26, Balochistan has presented a budget worth Rs. 1.028 trillion, out of which Rs. 240 billion have been allocated for developmental projects. This budget, larger than in previous years, reflects a significant step forward in light of the province’s political, economic, and social conditions, with key priorities being education, healthcare, and employment.
While addressing the post-budget session of the provincial assembly, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reiterated that the budget has been designed with the welfare of Balochistan’s people in mind. “The development and prosperity of the province is our foremost priority,” he stated. The government, he added, is working day and night to ensure basic facilities reach the common citizen.
Several long-defunct health centres have been restored, and 16,000 new appointments have been made in the education department within the past year. More than 3,000 closed schools have been reopened. Special focus is being placed on the education and employment of Baloch youth. A “People’s Air Ambulance Service” is being launched in the province, and 8,000 houses for flood-affected families have already been completed, with handovers expected soon. A “People’s Train Service” from Sariab to Kuchlak is also being introduced, while an industrial estate is being developed in Chaghi, and a fertilizer plant is planned to process locally extracted gas.
In a separate but significant development, the World Bank has approved $194 million in financial assistance for Pakistan, earmarked for developmental projects in Balochistan. These funds are intended not only to address the province’s core challenges but also to stimulate local economies and generate employment opportunities. The funds will be invested in two major projects: one in the education sector aimed at improving access to quality education, and the other addressing water security through sustainable water management and climate resilience efforts.
Indeed, these initiatives carry critical importance for the prosperity of Balochistan. By focusing on underdeveloped regions and filling gaps in education and infrastructure, these projects aim to lay the foundation for long-term progress. Education, being a key enabler of social mobility and economic stability, remains at the heart of these efforts.
The Balochistan Water Security Project marks a strategic move to protect the province against droughts, water scarcity, and the broader impacts of climate change. The project goes beyond mere water storage or distribution—it incorporates water management, sustainable agriculture, and community training components.
It is a well-established fact that when investments in human development, infrastructure, and natural resource management are made simultaneously, the results are multifaceted: employment increases, economies grow, and poverty declines. The state is currently investing significantly in education, healthcare, road and bridge construction, and trade in Balochistan. Young people are being equipped with modern skills and quality education to avail employment opportunities both locally and abroad—unlocking their hidden potential for the benefit of the nation.
In line with this vision, the Government of Pakistan established the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) in 2013 to support underprivileged students across the province through partial and fully-funded scholarships. According to CEO Zakaria Khan Noorzai, BEEF awarded 32,550 scholarships between February 2024 and February 2025 to students from Grade 9 to MPhil, amounting to Rs. 2.66 billion.
For the year 2025, a fully-funded scholarship programme has been announced for talented students from the province’s most underserved districts, including Sherani, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Awaran, Barkhan, Qila Abdullah, Washuk, Zhob, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, and Jafarabad. A total of 100 students from these 11 districts will receive full scholarships to pursue higher education at national and international levels.
Furthermore, in 2024, BEEF launched a support programme for students enrolled in the Diploma of Associate Engineering (DAE) to promote technical education and vocational skills among the youth. Under this scheme, Rs. 20 million were distributed among 501 deserving students. Special quotas were also reserved for orphans, differently-abled students, minorities, and other underprivileged categories—ensuring no deserving student is left behind.
Today, the state is paying special attention to the education sector in Balochistan—recognising that education is the key to solving all major issues. It is also the most effective tool against terrorism. The agents of “Fitna-e-Hindustan” (India-backed banned outfits) are well aware of this; hence, they are trying to deprive Baloch youth of books and pens, replacing them with weapons to serve their destructive agenda. By radicalising capable and educated youth like Talat Aziz, they aim to turn them into militants, fugitives, extortionists, and smugglers.
But today’s educated generation is increasingly aware of the true face of these banned outfits. The enemy’s propaganda is failing, and Balochistan continues its march toward peace, stability, and prosperity. |