Natural Resources in Balochistan: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The natural gas from Balochistan’s Dera Bugti District has remained the sustenance of Pakistan’s industrial growth and domestic consumption for more than six decades. The Saindak and Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagai District are Pakistan's only active metal mines. The Duddar-Lead Zinc Project in Lasbela District and Bolan Mining Enterprises are also major mineral exploration projects in the province. The abundant natural resources of Balochistan have not translated into an economic bonanza for Pakistan but instead turned into a resource curse for the province in the shape of extreme poverty, under-development, and prolonged internal conflicts. The natural resources and geostrategic location of Balochistan are an economic bonanza for Pakistan. However, at the same time, sub-nationalism and ethnic insurgency have created a severe law and order situation for the local populace and unleashed security challenges for Pakistan. The ethnic insurgency and separatism in Balochistan are the fallouts of longstanding grievances of the Baloch nationalists, which emerged from continued resource exploitation, economic deprivation, and political marginalization. This research explores the hydrocarbon and mineral resources of Balochistan, as well as greed, grievances, resource curses, and sub-nationalism in Balochistan.