BALOCHISTAN government’s announcement of its second budget featuring a record outlay of Rs1.03 trillion, is a welcome and ambitious step for a province that has long remained on the periphery of national development narrative.
Presented by Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nausherwani, the budget for fiscal year 2025-26 projects a development expenditure of Rs349.5 billion and promises a cash surplus of Rs36.5 billion, underscoring a commitment to fiscal discipline and economic prudence.
The initiatives outlined touch upon several long-standing demands of the Baloch people: improving basic infrastructure in remote and backward areas, implementing preemptive measures for emergencies, introducing modern reforms, strengthening the social sector, promoting social protection, generating employment and restoring peace.
These are, undoubtedly, the right priorities.
Infrastructure deficits in far-flung areas not only hinder economic activity but also isolate communities, exacerbating the feeling of abandonment.
Any serious effort to build roads, schools, hospitals and connectivity in the province will be a direct investment in long-term stability.
The government’s stated focus on social protection and job creation is also significant.
Targeted interventions can begin to mend the social fabric and instill a sense of inclusion and dignity.
Social sector strengthening—particularly in education and health—is essential to break the cycle of poverty and deprivation.
Moreover, the emphasis on peace and security as an outcome of economic development is well-founded.
Economic justice and political inclusion are the cornerstones of a stable society.
A secure Balochistan cannot be achieved through force alone; it must be underpinned by trust, equitable growth and genuine empowerment of the local population.
Encouragingly, the federal government has also allocated a substantial share for Balochistan’s uplift in the federal budget.
This dual commitment—both at the provincial and national level—offers a convergence of intent and opportunity.
If these funds are efficiently utilized and the announced projects see the light of day, they could collectively transform the socio-economic landscape of Balochistan.
Yet, the road to transformation is littered with past disappointments.
Too often, budgets have promised much but delivered little.
Implementation delays and poor oversight have frequently blunted the impact of well-intentioned plans.
Therefore, what is essential now is rigorous follow-through, transparency and community involvement in development initiatives.
The people of Balochistan must not only be beneficiaries of development; they must be active participants in shaping it.
