Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) organized a seminar on “Balochistan’s Geo-Strategic Significance, Politics of the Major Powers – Managing Its Impacts” here at Buitems on Tuesday. Acting Governor Balochistan, Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali was the chief guest while former Governor Balochistan, Justice ® Amanullah Yasinzai also graced the event. The Vice Chancellors from different public sector universities of Balochistan including Buitems Quetta, SBK Women University Quetta, University of Turbat and BUET Khuzdar were among others who attended the event.
Brig Agha Ahmad Gul (R) in his opening address said, Balochistan is located in a geopolitical crush zone confronted by the competing demands of major powers. It is a challenge yet a great opportunity of providing connectivity to all the competing major powers, without compromising on our vital national interests. He stated that we need to think over how to manage it by becoming the facilitators for all the major powers rather than becoming the stumbling blocks for each one of them.
Dr. Zafar Khan, Executive Director BTTN on the occasion stated that Balochistan has a coastline all year round operational. Former Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry (DG ISSI) lauded the efforts of BTTN in organizing the seminar. Highlighting the role of India in Balochistan, he stated that the Kulbhushan Yadav episode is a testimony to what India is up to in Balochistan and we cannot look away from that.
Dr. Atiya Ali Kazmi Senior Policy Research Analyst, NUST) said that to develop Balochistan, we must understand the ethos of the land and values of the people of Balochistan. She further stated that we need to have a mutual consensus of all the stakeholders to resolve the issues of southern Balochistan. Maria Malik (Director Reserach BTTN) in her talk said that the Baloch separatists operating in the southern Balochistan are being used as leverage by the states who do not want to see China as a regional power. In that context, she stressed that if the genuine concerns of the people of Southern Balochistan are not addressed timely and effectively, then the unfriendly states will keep exploiting the situation as a Balochistan issue.
