Outdated Sardari System and Unfair Distribution of Resources Have Turned Balochistan into an Economic Ruin: Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat Quetta): Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Ameer and MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch has said that the major reasons for Balochistan’s backwardness, economic deprivation and keeping the people deprived of basic facilities include the outdated Sardari system, an ineffective administrative structure, corruption, instability and unfair distribution of resources. Despite having natural resources, minerals and a long coastal belt, the people of the province face difficulties in accessing education, health, employment, clean water and basic civic facilities.

Speaking to various delegations and addressing events in Gwadar, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch said that the administrative structure established during the British era and the remnants of the Sardari system are obstacles in the way of public authority and development. The need of the hour is to ensure the rule of law, merit, justice and public authority instead of hereditary supremacy and hereditary politics.

He said that the benefits of revenues generated from the people, including Reko Diq, Saindak and other mineral resources, should reach the local population. Districts and local government institutions should be given real financial and administrative autonomy so that they can spend resources on education, health, clean drinking water, roads and employment projects according to their needs.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch said that along with transferring financial powers to the lower level, a system of transparency, effective monitoring and accountability is also necessary. The income and expenditure of revenue collected in each district and development funds should be regularly presented before the people so that corruption can be curbed and the proper use of government resources ensured.

He said that the conditions and resources of all districts are not the same, therefore a system of special development grants and fair financial distribution should be devised for low-resource and backward districts. The purpose of development should not be merely to limit facilities to big cities, but to provide equal opportunities of education, treatment, clean water and employment to the people of remote areas as well.

He further said that when the people do not have authority over their resources, employment opportunities and basic facilities, the sense of deprivation will increase. For durable peace, economic stability and restoration of public trust in Balochistan, it is necessary that the people be included in decision-making, local governments be empowered and justice be made the basic principle in the distribution of national resources.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch demanded that an empowered local government system be established in Balochistan, the rule of law be promoted instead of Sardari and hereditary supremacy, and the use of federal and provincial funds be made transparent. He said that Balochistan’s real development is possible only when the voice of the local people is included in decisions regarding resources and the benefits of development reach the common man directly.