Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) has stated that the narrative of deprivation in Balochistan is being promoted through a structured propaganda campaign and does not reflect the actual ground realities and development indicators of the province.
Addressing the issue, the DG ISPR said that a specific narrative is often developed by first preparing selective content and then presenting it as a representation of public sentiment, whereas factual data and ongoing development initiatives present a different picture.
Highlighting development in Balochistan, he referred to Gwadar as an example, stating that despite having a population of approximately 350,000, the city has witnessed significant expansion in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic facilities.
He stated that Gwadar currently has multiple educational institutions, including three universities and four education colleges, along with 318 schools. He also highlighted healthcare facilities, including the Pak-China Friendship Hospital, district-level healthcare services, rural health centers, and five children’s dispensaries, in addition to 19 basic health units.
The DG ISPR further highlighted major infrastructure and economic projects in Gwadar, including the international airport, Gwadar Port, expressway networks, industrial zones, and tax-free zones, describing them as indicators of continued investment and development in the region.
Discussing development in Turbat, the DG ISPR stated that the city, with a population of approximately 500,000, has benefited from the establishment of two universities, six education colleges, cadet colleges, a girls’ cadet college, hundreds of educational institutions, a teaching hospital, private healthcare facilities, an international airport, modern road infrastructure, and expanding commercial opportunities.
He questioned whether similar levels of facilities are available in many cities across other provinces, including parts of South Punjab, interior Sindh, and rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The DG ISPR further presented historical comparisons, stating that at the time of Pakistan’s creation in 1947, Balochistan had only 363 schools, whereas today the province has developed a broader educational network comprising universities, medical colleges, general colleges, cadet colleges, technical institutions, and thousands of educational facilities.
Highlighting progress in the healthcare sector, he stated that at the time of independence, Balochistan had only three major hospitals and six dispensaries. Today, according to the DG ISPR, the province has expanded its healthcare infrastructure, including major hospitals, teaching hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, basic health units, dispensaries, cardiac centers, tuberculosis centers, and numerous other medical facilities serving the public.
The DG ISPR stated that these figures demonstrate significant growth in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development across Balochistan. He emphasized that portraying the province solely through a narrative of deprivation ignores measurable progress and ongoing development efforts.
He reiterated that the state remains committed to the continued development, prosperity, and welfare of the people of Balochistan through investment in public services, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
