Balochistan governor says employment, security are major challenges facing province

KARACHI: Governor Balochistan Jafar Khan Mandokhail said that unemployment and law and order remain major challenges in Balochistan; however, the government is making efforts to address both issues.

He was speaking to students and media during his visit to the Saylani Welfare Head Office and the Zaitoon Ashraf IT Park in Karachi.

He stated that after recent operations, the activities of the TTP have been reduced to less than ten percent. He emphasised that despite acquiring higher education, many young people in Balochistan remain unemployed, and they must be encouraged toward entrepreneurship through the Saylani model.

He expressed pleasure at seeing a large number of students from Balochistan becoming IT experts at Saylani.

The Governor also met students (master trainers) from various districts of Balochistan who are currently undergoing training. Head of Saylani Education Board Afzal Chamdia and COO Muhammad Ghazal briefed the Governor on various departments.

CEO Allama Madani Bashir, Trustee Syed Abu Faisal, and heads of Saylani Information Technology and other departments were also present on the occasion.

Afzal Chamdia informed the Governor that these students from Balochistan would soon return to their respective districts to train other students in IT. They are being provided with complete boarding and lodging facilities in Karachi. Governor Mandokhail said that providing employment to educated and skilled unemployed youth is the need of the hour, and he was extremely pleased to see Saylani’s efforts.

He noted that IT is emerging as a ray of hope for young people and stressed that, in collaboration with Saylani, IT exports should be increased to $100 billion.

He said he was deeply impressed by Saylani’s welfare and training programs and appreciated their initiatives. Students briefed the Governor on various courses, modern technology programs, and employment opportunities available at Saylani.

Addressing the students later, Governor Mandokhail said he was delighted to visit the Saylani Zaitoon Ashraf IT Park, where youth from underprivileged and middle-class backgrounds are benefiting without discrimination. He acknowledged that students often approach the Governor House in Balochistan seeking jobs, but employment opportunities are limited. While students obtain education, they struggle to find employment due to a lack of opportunities.

He said IT offers vast potential worldwide and that Saylani aims to increase IT exports from $4 billion to $100 billion, adding that the government would provide full support to achieve this goal.

Responding to media queries, the Governor said unemployment is a major issue in Balochistan and that the law and order situation requires better management. He noted that restoring peace is a long process but added that recent actions in Afghanistan have significantly improved the situation, reducing TTP activities in Balochistan to less than ten percent.

He further said that the Makran belt, including Panjgur and Turbat, offers excellent opportunities for business. The finest cotton in Pakistan is produced in Balochistan, while the province also has the largest livestock population—half of the country’s livestock. Export-quality dates and apples are also produced in Balochistan.

He pointed out that dates from Balochistan are exported to Iran, where they are processed and re-imported under Iranian labels. He added that Saylani has initiated work on large-scale IT parks in Balochistan, and the Governor House Balochistan stands in full support of these efforts, adding that Balochistan would benefit from Saylani’s services.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026