That governance has never been our forte is a fact that is evident from the extravagance with which incidents of violence are surfacing in Balochistan. Despite special efforts being directed towards it by the government and the armed forces, the province successfully remains grossly underdeveloped and backwards. In this backdrop it becomes essential to analyse the unrest and the factors responsible for such a state that perpetuate and subsequently lead to demands of an ‘independent’ Balochistan.
Despite severe economic setbacks there have been no cuts in the allocation of funds for the province. In the fiscal year 2010-11 Balochistan alone received Rs152bn which amounts to Rs100bn increase from that of the financial year 2004-05. Furthermore, a 4 percent increase in Balochistan’s share from the Divisible Pool has been a landmark of the NFC Award along with a 12-year instalment of gas development charges of a total sum of Rs120bn. An additional Rs10bn grant was also released by the federal government in 2009. The shift of GST to the provinces became another significant feature that turned into a major source of revenue generation for Balochistan.
It is an enigma why the province is experiencing yet another upheaval despite soaring of funds and resources. The age old grievances, it appears, are being exploited for the wrong ends. Why has the provincial government not been able to make a difference in the lives of the people? Why are the funds not being utilised? This underutilisation of resources surely offers no genuine prospect for any miraculous improvement, thus becoming instrumental in maintaining the status quo.
F Z KHAN
Islamabad
