It is indeed a matter of immense satisfaction from any Pakistani's perspective that Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal was at Davos where he helped remove certain global misperceptions about his province. According to Business Recorder op-ed writer, Ikram Sehgal, "A pleasant surprise for many of the people present, just a short time ago it would have been unimaginable that the CM of Balochistan would represent Pakistan in an international forum! Giving an introduction to Pakistan's largest province by territory, the CM first explained the many opportunities that the abundance of natural resources of the province. He explained what CPEC and other projects of the government offer to potential investors. That he was very eloquent and credible was a real surprise for the assembled who generally tend to treat Balochistan as a backward province teeming with militant leaders who are not so literate and/or capable. In fact most of the Baloch Sardars leading the almost defunct secessionist movement live in potential luxury abroad duly financed by India's RAW."

The federal government, however, is required to pay full attention to the needs of this province by immediately addressing disgruntled Baloch people's genuine grievances. The then governments of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Gen Pervez Musharraf had deepened the sense of deprivation among the Baloch. The last PPP government, however, worked differently, announcing a massive 'Balochistan package'. The PTI government is required to follow suit.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019