Balochistan policy dialogue: Development against violent extremism

2026-02-09 - 23:46

The Balochistan Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CoE-CVE), Home Department, Government of Balochistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized a historic three-day policy dialogue from 28 to 30 January 2026 at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta. The dialogue aimed to address the root causes of violent extremism through preventive, non-kinetic and inclusive approaches. Renowned politicians, lawyers, experts on extremism, academicians, and representatives of NGOs, media, and think tanks participated, making the dialogue productive and intellectually rich. Raheela Hameed Durrani, Minister for Education, Balochistan, stated that extremism and violence are among the most serious challenges facing Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular. She emphasized critical role of education, curriculum reform, and institutional coordination in countering extremist narratives. Durrani highlighted initiatives undertaken by provincial government, including resolving financial issues of universities, reopening schools, creating employment opportunities and reducing corruption to weaken drivers of extremism. She stressed that individuals and institutions must act sincerely, prioritize dialogue over violence and work collectively to build a peaceful and resilient society. The author argued that stability in Balochistan is closely linked with development and the province’s vast geo-economic potential. Strategic utilization of sectors such as minerals, agriculture, livestock, the blue economy, and tourism can pave the way for prosperity. Around seventy percent of Pakistan’s natural resources are believed to be located in Balochistan. Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow has noted that the Reko Diq copper and gold project alone could generate approximately seventy-four billion dollars in free cash flow over thirty-seven years. Fair and transparent resource extraction is essential for job creation, poverty reduction, and social stability. Known as the fruit basket of Pakistan, Balochistan produces ninety percent of the country’s cherries, grapes, and almonds, along with substantial quantities of pomegranates, peaches, apricots, apples, and dates. Expanding fruit exports to international markets can enhance economic inclusion and help reduce extremism. Meena Majeed Baloch, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Balochistan for Sports and Youth Affairs, highlighted that nearly seventy percent of the province’s population comprises youth. To harness this potential, the provincial government has introduced initiatives such as a youth policy, youth resource centers, career counseling, digital skills training, scholarships, and overseas study opportunities. These measures aim to diversify employment avenues for young people. Sports programs, women’s participation, and youth summits are fostering responsibility, peace-oriented citizenship, and constructive engagement, diverting youth away from violence and extremism. Bilal Khan Kakar, Vice Chairman of the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBOIT), discussed the Government of Balochistan’s Business Facilitation Centre in Quetta, a one-window, digitized initiative designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and promote transparency. He emphasized its importance in generating employment, supporting startups, and encouraging economic inclusion. According to Kakar, improved economic opportunities and institutional trust are crucial in countering violent extremism. Dr. Tahir Rasheed, CEO of the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), drew attention to persistent socio-economic challenges, particularly poverty and youth unemployment. He argued that traditional aid models have limited impact and advocated social entrepreneurship as a sustainable, locally rooted solution. Citing BRSP’s experience, he highlighted community-led development, youth livelihoods, enterprise incubation, and initiatives such as Balochistan Integration and Socio-Economic Empowerment (RISE), which promote social cohesion and peace-building. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, a PhD scholar, discussed the National Prevention of Violent Extremism (NPVE) Policy 2024, approved by the Federal Cabinet on 2 December 2024. He described it as a comprehensive framework addressing drivers and emerging trends of extremism through preventive and data-driven approaches. The policy offers strategic guidance for provinces to contextualize CVE interventions. He emphasized youth empowerment through skills development and media training to counter misinformation. Integration of the Balochistan Youth Policy with CoE-CVE initiatives was also highlighted. Prof. Syed Hussain Haider, Senior Legal Expert at UNODC, shared global examples underscoring youth-led entrepreneurship and resilience. He cited cases from Thailand, Rwanda, and Nigeria’s Kano province, where education, discipline, and entrepreneurship have contributed to social transformation. The dialogue’s insights align with David Galula’s non-kinetic counterinsurgency theory, which emphasizes population-centric strategies. Galula argued that insurgencies thrive on public support and legitimacy rather than force alone. Sustainable peace in Balochistan depends on inclusive development, responsive governance, and human security approaches that address grievances and weaken the social foundations of militancy. Overall, the policy dialogue demonstrated that coordinated civil, political, economic and educational interventions, grounded in local realities and supported by international partners, can gradually transform conflict environments, rebuild trust between state and society, and offer a credible pathway toward sustainable peace, development and resilience in Balochistan for future generations. —The writer is an expert on Balochistan and regional politics. (bareach87@gmail.com)