Mir Zia Langove (Advisor to CM Balochistan for Home): Balochistan government has a clear stance that issues of the people of Gawadar are the issues of provincial government. Since the protest of fishermen started in Gawadar, the Chief Minister himself visited the area and assured them that their concerns would be taken care of. Out of 19 demands of the protestors, 16 have already been met. The federal government is onboard with the provincial government from day one. The provincial government is making all out efforts to continue development projects in Gawadar under China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The infrastructure in Gawadar has completely changed now. The government is also focusing on establishing new university campuses in Gwadar, resolving water issues in the area and constructing new and quality hospitals for people. The government has also allocated funds for the promotion of sports, culture and other healthy activities in the province.

Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): Pakistan would have less geographical value if Balochistan was not its part as the province constitutes over 45% area of the country. Neglecting the importance of Balochistan could be a self-defeating scenario. Although, the Baloch people were deprived of their rights in tenures of the previous governments, the incumbent government is paying special focus on development of the province and to eliminate the sense of deprivation among Baloch people. Much has been done for the province but a lot more is still needed to bring it at par with other areas of the country. The Prime Minister while taking the right step at the right time has taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the fishermen of Gwadar. It is absolutely important to address the grievances of the Baloch people so that they could consider them in the mainstream. The government should initiate development projects in Balochistan including construction of motorways, improving road infrastructure, provision of electricity without interruption and quality health services.

Najamuddin Shaikh (Former Ambassador): The instability in Afghanistan will affect all the neighboring countries in general but Pakistan in particular as Pakistan shares the longest border with the war-torn country. Pakistan, at its end and within the available resources has been trying to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghan people but it does not fulfill the requirements of Afghan people. It is a good step that Pakistan is going to hold an OIC foreign ministers meeting in order to develop a consensus to cope with the challenges of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. Moreover, this forum can persuade the world powers to come forward to provide financial assistance to the new Afghan government and release the frozen funds of war torn country in order to avoid economic collapse. On the other hand, all out efforts are underway to convince the Taliban to constitute an inclusive government in order to get international recognition. Pakistan is time and again urging the world to engage with the Taliban government, otherwise the consequences of economic collapse would have devastating impacts for Afghanistan and the wider region.

Syed Nadeem Raza (Senior Journalist): Pakistan has always worked to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan as peaceful and stable neighbor is in the best interest of Pakistan. Pakistan cannot leave Afghan brethren alone in this critical time so despite its own economic issues, Islamabad has provided an aid of 50 billion rupees to the Afghan government. Pakistan is going to host an important OIC foreign ministers’ meeting and has invited the international organizations and permanent members of the United Nations to attend the moot to have a fruitful discussion on the issues of Afghanistan. We must be hopeful for the positive outcome of the OIC meeting. Pakistan has also urged the world to support the Afghan government in order to avert the humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in the war torn country.