Islamabad: Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed his commitment to protecting provincial rights, strengthening the federation, and promoting balanced development across all regions. Addressing the National Workshop Balochistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, he highlighted the role of the Senate in ensuring that all provinces have an equal voice in national decision-making through parliamentary oversight, transparency, and dialogue.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Chairman Senate emphasized that the youth of Balochistan are the greatest asset to the province. He stressed the importance of equipping them with education, skills, and opportunities within state institutions to empower them as agents of peace, progress, and national unity. Gilani also underscored Balochistan’s geostrategic importance for Pakistan’s economic future and national security, asserting that the province’s people, culture, history, and traditions are an inseparable part of the national identity.
Gilani noted the significance of ensuring that development opportunities and inclusion reach every corner of the province. Referring to the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan initiative launched in 2009, he mentioned its design to address longstanding political, economic, and administrative concerns through democratic and constitutional means. Education was given particular importance, with scholarship programs and the expansion of educational institutions aimed at nurturing talent and leadership from within the province.
He highlighted Balochistan’s rich endowment of natural resources and immense potential, emphasizing that investment in infrastructure, trade, minerals, and connectivity can uplift local communities, create employment opportunities, and foster a sense of shared ownership in national progress. The Special Investment Facilitation Council provides an important platform for coordinated investments and facilitation, he added.
The Senate Chairman pointed out that projects such as the Gwadar port, Reko Diq, and CPEC-related initiatives hold the promise of economic growth, capacity building, and enhanced investor confidence. He concluded by stating that Pakistan’s progress depends on individuals who respect diversity, uphold constitutional values, and work within the democratic framework.