Daily Times

The available statistics for unemployment in Balochistan portray a bleak picture. It is also one of the worst problems being faced by the province and no attention is paid towards this issue. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics estimated that unemployment rate in Balochistan is four percent. Here we cannot blame the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for this inaccurate calculation, because since 1998, not a single census has been held and no data is available to reflect the real situation. In reality, the unemployment rate in the province is much higher than official statistics portray and still growing and creating problems. The main reason of unemployment is lack of awareness, poverty and poor education system in the province. According to a report, each year, nearly 25,000 people graduate from Balochistan.

Unfortunately, around 2,000 of them hardly can secure jobs. In the past one decade, no higher education institute has been established, which is causing no improvement in socio-economic condition in the area. People do have a few opportunities to study but are unable to get jobs, after completing their education.

Balochistan was once considered the backbone of Pakistan, but has only deteriorated instead of progressing. The source of livelihood for the people is either agriculture, private or government employment. Water shortage has totally damaged the agriculture sector and decimated the economic backbone of the rural areas of the province. This rising unemployment has further exacerbated the economic situation.

According to a research, 52 percent of Baloch people are living below the poverty line. It justifies that more than half of Balochistan cannot earn even $1.25 per day. Sixty-three percent of people in the province are suffering from food security and almost half of them die, due to unhealthy food. The people roam here and there for jobs but lack of employment opportunities are there. Some people have failed to earn and feed their families, resulting in malnutrition and other health-related problems across Balochistan.

It must be clarified that government jobs are not the solution of unemployment, which is causing severe troubles for the people in Balochistan. Only the availability of jobs in the private sector can help decrease unemployment and can bring a huge change for the province

In the past, the population was less in number so government jobs were easy to get and very few people remained unemployed. The current situation in Balochistan has increased unemployment with the increase in population. It has become difficult for a person to get a government job. Adding to the problem is the irresponsible attitude of the federal government.

It must be clarified that government jobs are not the solution of unemployment, which is causing severe troubles for the people in Balochistan. Only the availability of jobs in the private sector can help decrease unemployment and can bring a huge change for the province. Almost no private jobs are available in the province. Some industries are present but employees are mostly hired from other provinces. In the past, three textile mills were established in Lasbela, Harnai and Quetta which provided 20,000 jobs for people. Those textile mills were closed during former president Pervez Musharraf’s government, which increased the unemployment rate in the province and left thousands of people jobless.

The federal government has failed to create job opportunities for the people of Balochistan. All they do is make false promises to the people.

In the past, the people of Balochistan have not been involved in mega projects such as Gwadar port project, Saindak copper gold and the Reko Diq project.

If only the development funds of Balochistan ideally would be spend on projects which can achieve the objectives of employment opportunities, increasing purchasing power of the people and increasing the government revenue. The funds should be used for agriculture, irrigation, fisheries, mining, forestry and livestock as a majority of population is dependent on these sectors for survival.

A meaningful and determined approach by the provincial and federal government can achieve the target to provide more jobs and employ the people and allow them to have a secure life. Will both of these governments ever embark on such a mission based on the past record? I highly doubt it.

The writer is a student at Turbat University and can be reached at sanasamad80@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 20^th 2019.