GWADAR: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that the growing unrest in Balochistan cannot be resolved through military operations alone, stressing that unemployment and lack of education are the key drivers of youth frustration in the province.
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Addressing a Bano Qabil ceremony organised by the Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan on Sunday, Mr Rehman argued that peace cannot be enforced “through the barrel of a gun” and called for a focus on jobs, education, and constitutional rights.
“When unemployment prevails and the Baloch people are denied their rights, anger against the state is a natural outcome,” he said. “The problems cannot be solved at gunpoint; people must be given their due rights.”
The JI chief highlighted the economic challenges faced by the province, noting that nearly half of Balochistan’s school-age children are out of school. He also said that while roughly 150,000 jobs are available in the province, nearly four million young people remain unemployed.
Mr Rehman raised concerns about the impact of economic deprivation and enforced disappearances on public trust in the state. “When there is economic deprivation and people’s loved ones go missing, how can the public be expected to fully abide by the law?” he asked.
The remarks come amid a long-standing cycle of unrest and sporadic violence in Balochistan, with militant activity, protests, and security operations making headlines regularly. Analysts have noted that development deficits, unemployment, and limited access to education have contributed to frustration among the youth, compounding security challenges.
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JI’s comments underline the need for a multidimensional approach to peace in the province, combining socio-economic initiatives with political engagement, rather than relying solely on force to address grievances.