Balochistan is facing multiple challenges ranging from security issues to socio-economic development. It is grappling with a critical governance crisis that threatens to derail its future prospects.
Even though the province gets a lot of money for development, it consistently underspends and misuses its budget. It also experiences systemic delays that slow down progress on important issues like counterterrorism and social development.
One of the most alarming aspects of Balochistan’s fiscal crisis is the persistent underspending of allocated funds. In FY 2024/25, the province has utilized only 29% of the total 200 billion rupees allocated for its development in the first half of the year, signaling a looming 60% lapse, or 120 billion rupees, by the end of the fiscal year.
This follows a similar pattern in FY 2023/24, where they left a staggering 93 billion rupees unspent. Bureaucratic inefficiencies continue to block the full utilization of these resources, which could have addressed critical issues like infrastructure development, social services, and counterterrorism efforts.
A Culture of Nepotism in the Bureaucracy
Bureaucratic inertia in Balochistan’s government departments is perhaps the most insidious factor in Balochistan’s governance struggles. With nepotism and political patronage dominating the administrative landscape, key bureaucratic officials resist spending unless incentivized by personal gain. Bureaucrats, rather than focusing on public welfare, maintain a system that prioritizes their own power, undermining the delivery of services to the public.
At the top of this dysfunction is a leadership vacuum that prevents meaningful reform and progress. The current Chief Secretary of Balochistan, Shakeel Qadir Khan, lacks the urgency and modern managerial tactics needed to drive performance and tackle the province’s deep-rooted governance issues.
Without strong, forward-thinking leadership, the bureaucracy continues to resist meaningful change, further hindering the province’s progress.
Security forces in Balochistan focus on counterterrorism efforts. However, poor governance and weak service delivery undermine stability. Additionally, the failure to provide basic services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure exacerbates frustration among local communities. Consequently, this feeds into the very instability the security apparatus seeks to counter.
To tackle these entrenched issues, several urgent reforms need to be implemented. The current leadership of Balochistan, particularly the Chief Secretary, must be replaced with someone who has the experience and vision to drive institutional reform.
Mohiuddin Wani, a seasoned bureaucrat with experience in overhauling administrative systems, could be an ideal candidate. Wani’s proven track record of institutional reform, including digitization and anti-corruption measures during his tenure as Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, could bring much-needed change to Balochistan’s dysfunctional bureaucracy.
His federal experience would also help bridge coordination gaps between Balochistan and Islamabad, ensuring that the province receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Politics will play a crucial role in this leadership overhaul. Decision-makers should lobby aggressively with the Chief Minister and the federal government to replace the current Chief Secretary, Shakeel Qadir Khan, with someone like Mohiuddin Wani, who can inject new energy into Balochistan’s governance and steer it toward stability.
To bypass bureaucratic hurdles, the creation of parallel implementation units led by vetted officers from planning & development or federal agencies can be a beneficial solution. These task forces would empower leaders to fast-track high-priority projects, such as infrastructure development and counterterrorism-related initiatives.
Similarly, direct fund allocation to districts would empower district commissioners (DCs) to spend on local projects under strict transparency protocols, helping bypass the bureaucratic red tape that currently stifles progress.
Strengthen Accountability Mechanisms
Balochistan’s bureaucracy must instill a culture of accountability. One key initiative could be the implementation of Monthly Public Expenditure Reports, which would mandate all departments to publish their spending data online along with explanations for any delays.
Penalizing underperformance by freezing promotions and transfers of secretaries in lagging departments would encourage better performance. The federal government must step up its involvement in Balochistan’s reforms.
Temporarily assigning technocrats from institutions like the Planning Commission could address capacity gaps. They can provide technical expertise to drive projects forward. Tying future budget allocations to utilization rates would incentivize better fund management. Implementing “use it or lose it” clauses would ensure effective use of allocated resources.
The Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Balochistan should be granted emergency powers to reallocate lapsed funds to high-priority areas such as security or flood relief. This would allow for faster, more flexible decision-making in times of crisis, bypassing standard procedural delays.
Balochistan must pursue long-term reforms to address the root causes of its governance issues. Digitizing financial management using AI-driven tools for real-time budget tracking could vastly improve transparency and accountability.
