LAHORE – Balochistan Peace Forum (BPF) was organised by Chanan Development Association (CDA) and Action Aid Pakistan in collaboration with KRSF on Thursday. The forum participants demanded jobs for the youth of Balochistan.
Speakers at the forum believed, “Stability and peace in Balochistan is imperative for a prosperous Pakistan but it requires provision of employment to the youth.” They emphasized the need for a political solution to the crisis brewing in Balochistan, and said that unemployment needed to be urgently addressed.
Youngsters from Balochistan attended the event and discussed the major challenges and issues they face in their province and prepared recommendations to cope up with their issues. The guest speakers of BPF included Qamar-ul-Zaman Kaira, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Shaikh Waqas Akram, Dr Ishaq Balooch, Mir Khursheed, Uzma Tahir, Imtiaz Gul and Muhammad Shahzad Khan. CDA Executive Director Muhammad Shahzad Khan said that the 35 percent population of Balochistan is below the age of 29 who could be a ‘source for peace’ in the province if they are provided quality education, meaningful involvement in policy making and equal employment opportunities.
PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique appreciated the organisers for conducting this forum and providing an opportunity to the stakeholders, particularly the youth, to get together and try to find out solutions to the issues that they face. He said if Balochistan was unstable, there was a possibility that the rest of the provinces will suffer, therefore, it was imperative to conduct such forums and bring all the stakeholders on one table, keeping aside political interests.
Pakistan People’s Party Information Secretary Qamar-ul-Zaman Kaira said it was important that the youth of Balochistan involved themselves in policy making through healthy engagement in political processes, as they can more effectively point out the issues of Balochistan and can give good solutions towards their problems. Action-Aid Pakistan Policy Advocacy Officer Uzma Tahir urged the government to implement the Balochistan Package in true spirit and bring real democratic values in the political processes of the country.
Shaikh Waqas Akram and Hamid Mir said that Balochistan was lagging behind in education. Schools and colleges were not given the attention they deserve and there was a severe shortage of secondary school teachers and science lecturers in Balochistan, they said.
