ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a comprehensive national dialogue to resolve the longstanding grievances of Balochistan, asserting that the people of the province hold the first right over its natural resources. Speaking at the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister framed the initiative as an effort to listen directly to the voices of Balochistan’s communities and move from confrontation to reconciliation.
Shehbaz welcomed participants from across the province, noting that Balochistan is home to both Baloch and Pashtun populations and carries a proud legacy of courage, hospitality, and tolerance. He recalled that different parts of Balochistan joined Pakistan at the time of its creation, a decision he said reflected the will of local elders and the people themselves.
From a “Road of Blood” to a “Road of Peace”
The prime minister condemned any use of arms in the name of grievances, stating that no true patriot could take that path. He called for transforming what he described as a “road of blood” into a “road of peace,” and alleged that hostile foreign powers were funneling resources to infiltrators while Pakistani soldiers continued to sacrifice their lives for national security.
“Whatever has happened, has happened; now there must be a grand dialogue,” Shehbaz said, adding that those willing to correct their course should be welcomed back. He stressed that even the most difficult problems could be resolved through sustained conversation and reiterated that the government was prepared to hear Balochistan’s legitimate grievances “not once, but a thousand times.”
Justice, Identity, and Resource Distribution
Shehbaz strongly condemned the killing of workers in Balochistan on the basis of their ethnic identity, calling such acts unjustifiable under any circumstances. He argued that equitable distribution of resources was the most effective way to address deep-seated grievances and warned that Pakistan could not progress unless Balochistan and all four provinces were fully integrated into the country’s development journey.
The prime minister identified hostile countries as the driving force behind terrorism in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He revealed that he and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir had jointly decided to turn the “road of blood” into a “road of peace,” signaling a unified civil-military approach to the crisis.
State as a Mother, Dialogue as the Path Forward
Drawing an emotional parallel, Shehbaz said the state has the status of a mother, and a mother never wishes suffering upon her children. He maintained that Balochistan’s legitimate grievances could be addressed through three pillars: dialogue, justice, and fair distribution of resources.
The prime minister’s remarks come amid renewed attention on Balochistan’s political and security challenges, with growing calls for a political settlement that respects provincial autonomy and ensures local communities benefit directly from the province’s mineral wealth and strategic location.
