Time to make best use of effective Balochistan's resources.

Byline: Syed Fazl-E-Haider

Pakistan's area-wise largest province Balochistan is still caught in underdevelopment trap. The province is rich in natural resources. It has tremendous potential for development of horticulture, particularly the fruit farms. There is a lot of potential for development in the livestock and dairy sectors, as the province can earn a substantial amount of income by exporting the products in these sectors to the lucrative markets in the food deficit region - Afghanistan and Central Asia. The land along coastal belt has enormous potential for development of shrimp farming and processing projects, which can play a vital role in fisheries development in the province. For its huge mineral potential, the province is known as museum of minerals.

Balochistan makes up 70 percent of Pakistan's total coastal belt. According to an estimate, 60 species of fish and 10 of shrimps, including the best in the world, are found in the province. The shrimp farming projects would not only earn huge foreign exchange for the country but also prosper the local fishermen by providing them a constant source of income. The local fishermen have no processing plant for preservation of their catch. The fish cage-culture system in reservoirs and dams needs to be introduced besides introduction of total quality management system for export competitiveness.

The province has an ideal land and suitable conditions for shrimp farming. New hatcheries should be set up in coastal districts like Lasbella and Makran for shrimp production as viable business ventures. The provincial government should allot lands in coastal districts of Lasbella and Makran to private parties interested in promoting shrimp farming. Government should announce incentives for induction of the private sector in this field, as the interested entrepreneurs and investors can play a key role in promoting the shrimp farming in coastal areas purely on the commercial basis.

The copper-gold deposits at Saindak and Reko Diq in Chaghi have been estimated 78 million tonnes. Musharraf administration had proposed establishment of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and granted 15km area in Chaghi the status of EPZ. The decision had been taken to encourage foreign investment in mining of copper in Balochistan. The province possesses huge reserves of marble in Lasbela, Khuzdar and Chaghi districts. The onyx marble from Chaghi can meet the international standards and needs if it is processed efficiently.

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