Ahmed Khan Malik

Industrial stakeholders in Balochistan have urged the federal and provincial governments to allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget for infrastructure development in the province’s industrial zones.

Business leaders argue that without immediate investment in roads, electricity, water, and gas facilities, industrial growth in the province will remain stagnant.

Representatives of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Lasbela Industrial Estate and Hub Industrial Zone have emphasised the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades to attract both local and foreign investors.

Despite being rich in natural resources and strategically located near the Gwadar Port, Balochistan's industrial areas have long struggled due to inadequate infrastructure. Entrepreneurs point to dilapidated roads, chronic power outages, lack of clean water, and an underdeveloped logistics network as major hurdles to industrial development.

“Balochistan has immense potential, especially in minerals, food processing, and fisheries,” Jan Muhammad Baloch, BCCI executive member, told WealthPK. “Without proper infrastructure, we cannot capitalise on this potential. The government should set aside hefty resources in the upcoming budget to uplift the province’s major economic hubs,” he added.

“Key industrial sites, including Hub, Gwadar, Quetta, and Lasbela, should be the priority areas for infrastructure funding in the coming budget,” he said, emphasizing that Hub and Lasbela, which are home to hundreds of operational units, continue to suffer from basic service deficiencies.

Baloch said BCCI has submitted a formal proposal to the Balochistan finance department, requesting dedicated development funds for roads, energy supply networks, and industrial waste management systems.

Latif Murad, Secretary of the Balochistan Industrial Forum, said that supporting the province’s industrial base will not only boost the provincial economy but also help balance national industrial growth. “Currently, Punjab and Sindh dominate the country’s industrial output due to superior infrastructure and consistent government support.”

“If the government is serious about uplifting backward regions and reducing the centre-province economic gap, it must allocate substantial development funds for Balochistan’s industrial zones in the 2025-26 budget,” he said.

Baloch stressed that timely and targeted investments could unleash the province’s economic potential, create thousands of jobs, and contribute to national exports.

“The final budget allocations will be revealed in June. Until then, Balochistan’s industrialists are lobbying hard — not just for funding, but for greater recognition of their region’s role in the national industrial landscape,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk