17 of Pakistan’s 20 Most Underdeveloped Districts Located in Balochistan, Basic Services in Crisis

Quetta: The Pakistan Population Council has released an updated list of the country’s 20 most underdeveloped districts, highlighting severe disparities in development resources and a critical lack of basic services. According to the report, 17 of these districts are in Balochistan, reflecting growing deprivation, weak infrastructure, and governmental neglect in the province.

The districts in Balochistan identified as severely underdeveloped include Washuk, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Zhob, Naseerabad, Awaran, Kharan, Panjgur, Mashkel, Dera Bugti, Qilla Saifullah, Kalat, Sherani, and Jhal Magsi. The report notes that 65% of households in these 17 districts live in katcha (mud or temporary) homes, with Jhal Magsi having 97% of its population residing in semi-permanent or katcha structures.

Poor roads, transportation, and telecommunication systems have not only disrupted daily life but have also slowed emergency responses and the implementation of development projects. The report identifies Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the country’s weakest provinces in terms of healthcare. In remote areas, health centers are often 30 to 40 kilometers away, increasing the risk of fatalities due to delayed medical assistance.

The education sector in Balochistan also faces severe challenges. The province has the fewest schools in the country, and the long distances to girls’ high and higher secondary schools significantly hinder female education.

Economically, the report reveals that Balochistan’s underdeveloped districts suffer from high unemployment, weak economies, and a lack of governmental investment. Unemployment and unpaid domestic labor rates in the province are the highest in Pakistan.

Social experts have expressed serious concern over the findings, stressing the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy and immediate investment to reduce underdevelopment, improve public services, and strengthen the province’s developmental infrastructure. The report warns that without prompt action, underdevelopment in Balochistan is likely to worsen in the coming years, with long-term negative effects on future generations.