Future of world lies in the Afro-Eurasian region that begins from Balo
chistan and its significance has grown manifold with Belt and Road Initiative, said former National Security Advisor Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a seminar organized by the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad. Members of the diplomatic corps, academics, civil society, former and current diplomats participated in the discussion.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC said that Gwadar is vital to the multi-bil
lion-dollar project which would res
ult in the development of Balo
chistan is crucial for success of CPEC” and it has a promise to “address issues of socio-economic development, communication infrastructure and unemployment.”
Janjua stated that Pakistan seeks connectivity with Afghanistan, Central Asia and ultimately to Russia and in this, Balo
chistan plays a pivotal role through its geographical locatio
n and abundance of natural resources He was of the view that even Pakistan’s strategic significance lies in Balo
chistan, and only through peace and development in Balo
chistan it can be achieved. He said that Balo
chistan is gifted in terms of its geostrategic location as well as being a hub of natural resources which if fully utilised could be a catalyst for the entire region. He lamented that since the inception of the state of Pakistan, these unique attributes have made Balo
chistan a target for Pakistan’s adversaries, and consequently has been destabilised by internal and external elements. Yet, concerns of people are genuine and they need to be addressed.
Drawing on his experience as Commander Southern Command he shared views on hard-earned peace and said that, “in a State, it is all about people. If people are with you then you are victorious.” Similarly, focus should be on national integration as visible and real improvement in the Balo
chistan situation can only come about not by imposing force, but by ruling the hearts and minds of the people. He identified negative sub-nationalism as the root cause of insurgency. However, in response an integ
rated and “people-centric civil-military strategy was formulated which helped Balo
chistan transition from flag burning to flag raising.” On CPEC, he said that, on-going conflict in Balo
chistan requires political closure, which will open up new opportunities for people of Balo
chistan. Federatio
n and other provinces need to address apprehensions of people of Balo
chistan about their access to natural resources and land for CPEC to be successful in Balo
chistan. Similarly, in Gwadar focus should be on job creatio
n and providing economic opportunity to every citizen. He underscored that humans are the assets for economic development.
The talk was followed by a question-and-answer session which was mode
rated by DG ISSI, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and others.