Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Fehmida Jamali said potential of Balochistan as a regional hub for energy and trade will only be realised with a collective civil-military approach for its security and development.
She appreciated that the law and order situation in Balochistan had improved and crime rate in the province was on the decline due to successful, across the board and targeted operations by the FC and police against terrorists, criminals and those involved in sectarian violence.
While talking to media, Fehmida Jamali said infrastructure and communication network must be planned and executed for utilisation of the potential resources of Balochistan. Moreover, Gwadar Port would be connected by rail and road links with Central Asian States for a peaceful Balochistan.
She also said provincial government may encourage the SME sector and reduce the unemployment factor so that economic activity in the province may encourage.
According to estimates 25,000 people graduate from Balochistan every year and hardly 2,000 of them can secure jobs. He further says that there are four to five unemployed graduates in every other home in the province. That is the reason that the establishment of higher education institutes in Balochistan, in the last decade, has not brought about any meaningful improvement in the socio-economic conditions in the area. People have the opportunity to study but can't get jobs after completing their studies.
Balochistan is an under-developed province and the sources of livelihood for people are either agriculture or private or government employment. Water shortages in the province have crippled the agriculture sector and decimated the economic backbone of rural Balochistan. And this rising unemployment has further exacerbated the economic situation there, she added.-PR