CPEC has fast tracked development in Balochistan: Roundtable session

Islamabad: A roundtable session titled ‘Securing Balochistan amid Hybrid Warfare Through development’ has appreciated the role of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to fast track the development in Balochistan.

The Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) organized the round table session titled “Securing Balochistan Amid Hybrid Warfare Through development”.

While speaking to the forum Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar talked about myth surrounding that federation has exploitative policies towards Balochistan.

Senator Kakar further added that CPEC had played a great role to development Balochistan and increasing facilities in the province.

The second speaker on the panel was Dr Farah Naz. While talking about hybrid warfare and Balochistan, she stressed that Balochistan was a test case of hybrid warfare against Pakistan.

Dr Naz said that the conflict in Balochistan was directly linked with development and some elements wanted to slow down the CPEC progress.

The next speaker on the panel was Dr. Mansoor Ahmed who spoke about peace and development in Balochistan. He highlighted that it has been tested before to bring peace through development which is failing miserably, development doesn’t bring peace it’s the other way round. We need to realize it.

Dr Ahmed added that Balochistan shall be given due importance in right way and its rights shall be addressed as well. People in Balochistan lack basic human facilities which is a give issue in increasing insurgency.

While addressing the audience Lt. General Naeem Lodhi (retd) said that dialogue was necessary in order to resolve the issue in Balochistan.

Talking about CPEC, Naeem Lodhi said that Balochistan was vital to CPEC specifically Gwadar.

The last speaker on the panel was Lt. General Dr Zahid Latif Mirza (retd). In his speech, Mirza said that Balochistan was a protracted conflict.

Adding further he maintained that there was a sense of alienation in people of Balochistan it. In his recommendations Dr Zahid said that unless and until structural reforms are brought in the provincial governments there would be no solution. He mentioned that CPEC was instrumental in developing Balochistan on par with other provinces.

The esteemed panelists included Senator Anwaarul HaqKakkar, Dr. Nazir Hussain, Dean Social Sciences University of Wah, Lt General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd), and Lt. General Dr Zahid Latif Mirza (retd), Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, PRO Vice Chancellor University of Turbat Balochistan, and Dr Farah Naz, Assistant Professor Department of Governance and Public Policy National University of Scoence and Technology (NUST). The session was moderated by Sabah Aslam Executive Director IICR.