Balochistan emerges as Pakistan's poorest region: Report
New Delhi, June 13
Balochistan is facing acute unemployment and economic insecurity and a new survey indicates that the province has emerged as Pakistan's poorest region, with the poverty rate rising to 47 per cent.
The 'Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26; finds that "nearly one in every two residents of the province is living below the poverty line, placing Balochistan well above the national average," according to the report in Balochistan Post.
The report says that Balochistan's economic challenges are due to a combination of factors, including weak governance, limited employment opportunities, low levels of industrial development, and restrictions on cross-border trade with neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan.
"Thousands of families in border districts have traditionally relied on small-scale trade for their livelihoods, but tighter controls and the closure of various crossing routes have reportedly reduced income opportunities for many households," the report mentions.
The Survey also estimates Pakistan's overall poverty rate at 28.9 per cent, significantly lower than the figure recorded for Balochistan.
Without measures to expand employment opportunities, improve public service delivery and support economic activity in the province, poverty levels could continue to rise, the Survey findings warn. Recent incidents have also highlighted concerns about the social impact of economic hardship.
Pakistan's economic situation has started unfolding negatively in 2026, as geopolitical headwinds appear to be re-emerging, according to media reports.
A recent report in Karachi-based Business Recorder highlighted growing security concerns in Balochistan which have now delayed the Reko Diq financial close indefinitely, despite it being touted as a game-changer.
FDI remained abysmally low, and the same fate befell other external inflows (barring debt). There have been talks of investment and debt from friendly countries for three years, yet little has materialised so far, the report mentioned.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The Reko Diq delay is a big deal. They were projecting it as a savior for Pakistan's economy, but now even that is stuck. Balochistan is rich in minerals, yet poverty is 47%? That's a governance failure, pure and simple.
Interesting data point: India's poverty rate is around 10-12% depending on the metric. Pakistan's national average is 28.9% with Balochistan at 47%. That's a huge disparity. The geopolitical instability there isn't helping anyone.
Weak governance and closed trade routes - this is a classic case of people suffering due to bad policy. The common person in Balochistan just wants to feed their family. I hope the international community takes note and helps, not just for political reasons but for humanity. 🙏
The numbers don't lie. 47% poverty rate is catastrophic. The report mentions cross-border trade restrictions as a factor - that's a direct consequence of political tensions in the region. Sad to see ordinary citizens bearing the brunt.
India should be careful here. A collapsing Pakistan is not in our interest - more refugees, more terrorism, more instability. But at the same time, the people of Balochistan deserve better. Maybe some quiet humanitarian assistance could help build goodwill.
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.