Hunger Rules in Balochistan
Hunger Rules in Balochistan
A Political Crisis and a Human Tragedy
Balochistan, a region rich in natural resources, is facing one of the gravest humanitarian crises in Pakistan today. Instead of improving, the standard of living in the province continues to deteriorate, leaving millions of people struggling for basic survival. Hunger has become a silent but devastating reality.
According to Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) leader Sana Baloch, the scale of food insecurity in Balochistan is the most severe in the country. He stated that in 2018–19, 15 percent of households in the province were suffering from severe food insecurity. Within just five years, this crisis has more than doubled.
Today, over 38 percent of the population—nearly four million people—do not have access to the minimum food required for human survival.
Hunger Is Not Natural — It Is Political
Sana Baloch emphasized that this hunger is not the result of natural disasters but a political failure. Poor governance and engineered governments backed by the establishment, he argued, focused on protecting power rather than protecting people.
“These governments survived politically,” he said, “but they left the public at the mercy of hunger.”
As corruption expanded and institutions were strengthened in name, human welfare was pushed aside. The system progressed, but people were left behind.
Rural Balochistan: The Worst-Hit Areas
The crisis is even more severe in rural areas.
- 26.7 percent of the rural population is food insecure
- compared to 20.6 percent in urban areas
This disparity highlights the deep neglect of rural communities, where access to food, health, and basic services remains critically limited.
Hunger Now Reaching the Wealthier Classes
Once considered a problem only for the poor, hunger is now affecting wealthier segments of society as well. Food insecurity among higher-income groups has risen from 3.7 percent to 9 percent, signaling that the crisis is spreading across all social classes.
This trend reflects a broader collapse in economic security and governance.
The Reality of So-Called “Stability”
What is often described as “stability” has produced a deeply disturbing outcome:
- Power remains secure
- The system appears strong
- But people are unsafe
This is the true cost of stability without justice, representation, and accountability.
Conclusion
Hunger in Balochistan is not merely a food crisis—it is a crisis of governance, equity, and human dignity. Until policies prioritize people over power and human survival over political engineering, this tragedy will continue to deepen.
Balochistan must be viewed not only as a land of resources, but as a land of people—people whose right to food, dignity, and life cannot be ignored.
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