‘Loralai has the right potential to be a major trade hub’

KARACHI: Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) and All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA) as well as the Chairman of the National Business Group Pakistan (NBG) and FPCCI Policy Advisory Board, has said that the government should promote drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, small reservoirs for groundwater recharge and efficient irrigation systems. Uncontrolled extraction through solar-powered tube wells must also be regulated.

He said that agriculture in Loralai district of Balochistan largely depended on groundwater and tube wells, while continuous extraction had lowered the water table to a dangerous level.

He said that the Loralai district of Balochistan possessed economic potential in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, minerals and interprovincial trade.

However, inadequate security, water and electricity shortages, poor road connectivity, limited processing facilities and a lack of skilled human resources had been preventing the district from fully benefiting from its resources.

He said that sustainable peace and secure trade routes werethe prerequisites for investment and industrial development. Therefore, Loralai’s economic planning and security arrangements must be modernized and integrated.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that Loralai covers 3,785 square kilometers and has a population of 272,000, of which nearly 78 percent lives in rural areas. Its economy largely depended on horticulture, livestock, mining and trade.

The district connects Balochistan with Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan and Central Asian markets, but this advantage required a coordinated government strategy.

He said that more than 62 percent of Loralai’s population was below the age of 20. This young population could become a major economic strength if provided with education, technical training and employment.

However, lack of opportunities was contributing to unemployment, poverty, informal trade and crime.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that Loralai’s olives, almonds, apples and apricots could secure a prominent place in domestic and international markets. The silver award received by Loralai olive oil at the 2025 New York International Olive Oil Competition reflected the quality of its agricultural produce.

He stressed the need for an integrated agro-processing zone, cold-chain facilities, fruit-drying units, olive-oil extraction plants and international-standard packaging centres.

He said that Loralai’s economic development cannot be separated from its security situation. Limited resources, inadequate vehicles, weak communication systems and difficulties in reaching remote areas are affecting the police and Levies Force.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that the N-70 National Highway is the economic lifeline of Loralai and northeastern Balochistan. Making it secure, wider and usable throughout the year could increase trade between Punjab and Balochistan.

Road closures caused by accidents, disputes or security incidents disrupted the movement of agriculture produce and minerals.

Mian Zahid Hussain proposed the appointment of an empowered District Economic Commissioner to coordinate with the district administration, police, Levies Force, FPCCI, provincial government, financial institutions, investors, tribal leadership and local business community.

He concluded that planning, stronger state authority, modern infrastructure, value addition and local participation could transform Loralai into a major agricultural, mineral, commercial and export centre.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026