Islamabad : Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani highlighting Balochistan’s strategic role in regional connectivity and its rich natural resources, urged investments in infrastructure, trade, minerals, and connectivity to uplift local communities, create employment, and promote shared national progress.
The Senate chairman, addressing the participants of National Workshop Balochistan (NWB-18) at President’s House, said that Balochistan occupied a pivotal position in regional connectivity, linking South Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East.
Its coastline, natural resources, and strategic location make it central to Pakistan’s economic future and national security, he added.
Gilani also reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to peace, development, inclusion, and constitutional rights of the people of Balochistan.
He noted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) provided an important platform for coordinated investment, while projects like Reko Diq and CPEC-related initiatives would ensure economic growth, capacity-building, and enhanced investor confidence, with due regard to provincial interests.
Gilani emphasised that the people of Balochistan, with their rich culture, history, and traditions, were an inseparable part of the national identity, and called for development, opportunity, and inclusion throughout the province.
The Senate chairman also drew attention to the challenges faced by Balochistan due to climate change and natural disasters, including floods and heavy rainfall, causing loss of life and livelihoods. He stressed the need for sustained humanitarian support, rehabilitation, and long-term planning to address climate-induced challenges.
He termed the resilience of Balochistan’s people amidst the challenges a source of strength and optimism, and called for equipping the youth of Balochistan with education, skills, and opportunities to enable them to become agents of peace, progress, and national unity.
Recalling his recent visit to the Pakistan Navy War College, where he underscored the importance of maritime security and the blue economy, he noted that such engagements were vital for a holistic understanding of national defence and development priorities.
Gilani recalled prioritizing Balochistan during his tenure as prime minister, highlighting 2009 Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package, unanimously approved by Parliament, as a historic democratic initiative to resolve political, economic, and administrative issues.
He said the package aimed to rebuild trust, boost provincial autonomy, ensure fair resource sharing, enhance Baloch youth employment and civil service representation, and prioritize education via scholarships and expanded institutions.
The Senate chairman noted special development measures for resource-extraction areas to benefit local communities and that political reconciliation and dialogue were key to lasting peace through inclusion.
He said that the Senate of Pakistan remained committed to protecting provincial rights, strengthening the federation, and promoting balanced development across all regions through oversight, transparency, and dialogue.
Welcoming participants to the federal capital, the Senate chairman praised the National Workshop Balochistan as a commendable initiative by the Government of Balochistan, in collaboration with Headquarters 12 Corps, Quetta, to promote national cohesion, informed leadership, and constructive dialogue on provincial issues.
He appreciated the organisers for uniting policymakers, academics, professionals, and young leaders, noting such engagements fostered mutual understanding, national integration, and capacity-building.
Urging the participants to respect diversity, uphold constitutional values, and work within democratic frameworks, Gilani expressed hope that the workshop would deepen their understanding of parliamentary democracy and inspire them to play a constructive role in national development.
The interaction also featured the question-answer session, wherein the Senate chairman discussed various issues related to inclusive development, national security, parliamentary legislation, and political reconciliation.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
