Gilani urges national unity, youth empowerment to ensure lasting peace, prosperity in Balochistan
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday underscored the need for national unity, inclusive development, and sustained security efforts to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in Balochistan.
Addressing participants of the National Workshop Balochistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the chairman senate welcomed the participants on behalf of the President Asif Ali Zardari and said the workshop had, since 2016, served as an important platform bringing together parliamentarians, bureaucrats, civil society members, academics, youth, and media representatives from across the country.
He described the initiative as a bridge connecting provinces, perspectives, and ideas to collectively address national challenges.
Emphasizing Balochistan’s strategic importance, the senate chairman said the province was central to Pakistan’s economic future and national security owing to its vast coastline along the Arabian Sea, rich mineral resources, and geographic location linking South Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned recent terrorist attacks by the Indian-backed proxies and militant groups for attempting to destabilize Pakistan. He said terrorists had shifted their focus from military targets to civilians in an act of desperation.
Paying tribute to the armed forces, Frontier Corps, police, and other law enforcement agencies, Mr. Gilani praised their professionalism and sacrifices in combating terrorism. He reiterated that the entire nation stood firmly behind the country’s security institutions and honoured those who had laid down their lives in the line of duty.
However, he stressed that military action alone could not guarantee sustainable peace. “The people of Balochistan, particularly its youth, must remain at the centre of the province’s future. Their participation, ownership, and trust are essential for lasting peace and meaningful development,” he said.
Recalling his tenure as prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani highlighted measures taken to address Balochistan’s longstanding concerns. These included the unanimous approval of the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package, implementation of the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, settlement of outstanding gas development surcharges and royalties, introduction of special quotas for Baloch youth in federal institutions and the armed forces, and efforts aimed at political dialogue and reconciliation.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting provincial rights, strengthening the federation, and ensuring equitable development across the country. “Development without security is hollow, security without unity is fragile, and unity without understanding is impossible,” he remarked.
The senate chairman encouraged them to act as ambassadors of national cohesion by promoting constitutional values, respecting diversity, and strengthening democratic institutions. He said prosperity remained the most sustainable path to peace, noting that education, employment, and improved infrastructure were key to preventing extremism and building resilient communities.
He also expressed confidence in the participants’ ability to contribute positively to Pakistan’s future. He urged them to carry forward a deeper understanding of Balochistan’s challenges and opportunities and to work collectively for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan.
