Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia was hyped as a chance to attract significant investment in critical assets. Reko Diq copper and gold mines project was in the spotlight, where KSA has expressed interest in buying a stake currently held by Barrick Gold. While this investment could be a Godsend blessing for the national economy, the question remains: will it transform into real benefits for Balochistan, the province where these resources reside?

But there are many concerns and concerns are multi-pronged. Firstly, the focus seems to be solely on resource extraction. Barrick Gold plans to export the raw materials, potentially to India, bypassing critical processing within Pakistan. This not only deprives the nation of added value creation but also necessitates a significant logistical undertaking – building residential colonies, managing water and electricity needs all with minimal long-term benefits for the local population. Secondly, the Prime Minister’s offerings reportedly include proposals for a medium sized oil refinery in Balochistan. However, given Saudi Arabia’s existing mega refinery project with India, such a venture seems unlikely.

On the other hand Dr. Malik Baloch, supremo of National Party and former CM Balochistan, have already pointed out the irony that Balochistan has no significant assets left. Gwadar Port, a crucial sine qua non or lynchpin in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC, was handed over to China for 99 years. Reko Diq is on the verge of falling under Saudi control. Balochistan’s resources minerals, coasts, and even its people seem perpetually up for grabs to keep the wheels of the national machinery turning, with little to show for it in terms of local development. CPEC itself, initially imagined as a game changer for Balochistan, has predominantly benefited other provinces but not a single motorway built in Balochistan under CPEC, and the crucial link to Gwadar remains absent. The irony is further compounded by the rapid development of security infrastructure in Balochistan a Gwadar Safe City project have raised concerns about further marginalization of the local population.

This approach is unsustainable. Balochistan is a vast, resource rich province, not a mere colony. Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia could have been a chance to forge a partnership that benefits both Balochistan and Pakistan. Instead, the focus seems to be on short-term resource extraction and infrastructure projects with dubious long term benefits. Need to understand and to address that investment should not come at the cost of the local population. Infrastructure projects should be designed to empower Baloch communities, address their needs, and promote sustainable development. Extracting raw materials only serves short-term goals. Setting up processing plants within Pakistan would create jobs, add value to exports, and contribute to technological advancement.