‘Youth Are Being Pushed into a Futile War; Sustainable Solution Lies in Dialogue and Education,’ Says Zahoor Ahmed Buledi

QUETTA: Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has said that the province’s youth are being drawn into a futile conflict and that lasting peace can only be achieved through negotiations, political engagement and education rather than force.

Buledi made the remarks while addressing an educational conference at Government Shaheed Ayub Degree College in Buleda, which he attended as chief guest during a visit to his constituency after two weeks.

He said young people were the real asset and future of any society and stressed the need to engage them in positive, constructive and healthy activities.

He urged parents to maintain a friendly relationship with their children, understand their problems and educate them about the positive and responsible use of social media.

Speaking about the situation in Balochistan, Buledi alleged that young people were being misled and pushed into a conflict that offered no meaningful outcome, with the greatest consequences being suffered by the youth themselves and their families.

He said history had shown that no nation or country could be permanently conquered through the use of force, as wars ultimately resulted in loss of life, destruction and social damage.

Buledi warned that thousands of young people could become victims of the ongoing conflict and estimated that between 50,000 and 60,000 people could potentially be affected.

He said armed groups would eventually have to lay down their weapons and join the national mainstream, arguing that a sustainable solution could only be achieved through dialogue, political processes and integration into the national mainstream.

Citing the example of the Kurds and Türkiye, Buledi said a long-standing conflict had existed between the two sides in the past, but a political path was eventually pursued and people became part of the government and mainstream political process.

He said the example demonstrated that complex disputes could be resolved permanently through political, democratic and negotiated processes rather than force.

“Perhaps we will see the results of what we are discussing today in our own lifetime, or future generations will witness this change,” he said, adding that history would remember that a lasting solution to the Balochistan issue lay in education, development, political engagement and providing the youth with positive opportunities.

Buledi said the youth of Balochistan were talented and courageous and needed opportunities for education, skills development, employment and economic advancement instead of being driven toward frustration and violence.

He stressed that the government, parents, teachers and all segments of society had a shared responsibility to secure the future of the younger generation.

The conference was also addressed by Divisional Monitoring Officer Colleges Sar Barkat Ismail and Kech District Education Officer Amjad Shehzad, who highlighted the importance of education.

College Principal Elahi Bakhsh Baloch expressed his gratitude, while Assistant Professor Anwar Zaheer served as stage secretary. Lecturer Maulana Abdul Wakeel recited verses from the Holy Quran.

Later, speaking at the Gadrosia Point, Buledi reiterated that education was the foundation of a nation’s development, prosperity and bright future.

He said Balochistan’s youth needed to be guided toward books, education, skills and employment rather than weapons.

He also urged parents to closely monitor their children’s education and upbringing and remain aware of what they were watching on social media and the activities in which they were involved.