Heart of Baluchistan-Turbat Valley
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
Dated 20th April 2009
The recent killing of three Baluch nationalist leaders in Turbat and the subsequent massive uprising all over Baluchistan has bought Turbat in the lime light. The gruesome killing galvanized Baluch people more so because it happened in area which has been peaceful so far. The leaders included moderates who assisted in the release of John Solecki, thus avoiding a big shame on Baluch people of killing a kind and humane UN worker who was assisting the poorest people.
I visited the place in 1st week of March when things were normal. A brief on my visit follows:
Turbat valley extending from Hushab to Mand with Turbat town as its center contains the largest Baluch population. It is the most significant agriculture belts of Baluchistan were rivers from Iran and Makran Range called KECH merge to form DASHT River. Mirani dam on DASHT has provided 30,000 acres of new irrigated agriculture land on top of existing agro forestry land spread over 150 KM of the valley. Very sophisticated underground canal system called Kharazs provides water to the farms on both side of the river. Large water pumps are deployed to pull water up from deep wells. All farms are ringed by Date trees and within confirm of the shaded farms a vast variety of agriculture products is produced. During my visit I saw wheat, barley, mustard, vegetable of all kind being grown. The quality was good. Some fruit orchids were also present. Agriculture provided employment to large number of people in the area.
Turbat is a beautiful green valley inhabited by Baluch and Afro Pakistanis. The people are soft spoken, humble and hospitable. One feels very comfortable in this place. Turbat is a major commercial center due to its agriculture production and trade with Iran. All major banks are represented here confirming its commercial importance.
Emergence of middle class leadership:
The MNA seat for this area was won by BNP Awami, a break away group of BNP Mengal. The break up according to people was in response to hard and UN yielding attitude of BNP leader Akhtar Mengal. The move is an indication of mood of the middle class educated people who have gained importance in major population centers like Turbat and it does not bode well for the traditional tribal leadership.
Mand Blu the border with Iran:
One of the main attractions of Turbat is its proximity with Mand Blu which is an important border crossing with Iran. This crossing is particularly significant for human smuggling. From Sindh and lower Baluchistan large numbers of people go to Mand Blu to cross over to Iran and than onwards to Europe. Mand is also a substantial trading post for goods going to Iran and coming back to Pakistan. From Pakistan Rice, Cold drinks, Biscuits are sent to Iran and from Iran Oil, four, Electronic items, Detergents, Biscuits are smuggled back. By far the most important trade item is Petrol, Diesel and Rice. All fuel needs Turbat valley and Gawadar are met from this source. Pakhtoons own the several money changers, Musafir khanas and whole sale rice an other commodity shops in Mand Blu.
From Mand also comes a 200KV electricity line from Iran which supplies electricity to Turbat, Panjgoor and Gawadar. The reliability of this supply is such that there is no load shedding in these towns.
It seems lots of attention has been given to villages and towns of the valley extending from Turbat town to Iranian Border. Electricity seems to be available in all villages while special hygiene programs like separate latrine outside the main housing area financed by NGOs is a common site. Zubaida Jalal former Federal Education Minister and independent MNA lives in Mand and is highly regarded. The road leading towards Mand is named after her. She however lost the last election to BNP Awami candidate.
Stolen Cars and Motorcycles:
It seems 80% of cars and pickups and 95% of motorcycles do not have a proper number plate as these are vehicles stolen from Karachi and other cities. There are no checkups and a local authority seems to be leased bothered about the situation. A good condition Toyota Corolla can be bought for 4 lacs and Cuore for 1.5 lacs. Cuore seems to be the common car in the area. While the drivers have no fear of being checked with in the valley they are afraid of taking these cars towards the coastal highway.
Hotels And Shopping Malls:
There are number of decent and affordable hotels in Turbat prominent among them are Gul e Rang located or a large Shopping Mall and Park Hotel both located in the center of the town. Gul e Rang in which I stayed is a substantial Hotel with large number Air conditioned and Non- Air conditioned rooms. The hotel has very little occupancy as the intended tourist and business man from the rest of the country hardly there to come due to ongoing insurgency by nationalist forces. Therefore currently one can get a nice room with attached bath room for Rs 300 per night. The rate for air conditioned room is Rs 600.
The staff of Gul Rang hotel in particular and other people likes the taxi driver, I used were very polite, courtesy hospitable and friendly. They all most made me stay longer than I had intended.
Business prospects:
a) There seems to be no entertainment center in the town. There is scope for game parlors and internet cafes.
b) Government schools cater to most needs of the town with few private schools. School chains like City or Beacon house are yet to consider this market. If they do them will do good business as people are generally well off and ready to spend money on good education.
c) Government clinic and hospital are the only source of treatment. Here again Private Hospital chains and Diagnostic Centers can consider this market.
Tough logistics and isolation:
The valley between Makran and Coastal Range is a very difficult place to reach. From Panjgoor it takes 8-9 hours to cover a distance of 250KM while from Karachi it takes 14-16 hours. Roads and bridges over the Makran and Coastal Range are not easy to make and maintain. The new roads from Gawadar to Khuzdar pass by Turbat and Panjgoor but are largely in-complete. However people are very happy with what has been done already and in the past they had to travel 3-4 days to Panjgoor and 6-7 days to Karachi. Once the stalled roads are completed the travel times will drop sharply. People of the Area blame nationalist leaders for the slow down and stoppage of work of the highway.
Air travel to Turbat is very expensive costing Rs 9,000 one way to Karachi thus out of reach of common man. Residents feel that government should subsidize the air fare. The bus fare range between 800 and 1000 depending on cargo carrying or purely passenger bus.
Recommendations:
For improvement of living condition of people of Makran I recommend the following:
- Proposed Makran province:
The fact of the matter is that Makran Region is a remote and isolated place. It is very far from Quetta. Going to Quetta form this region is much more difficult than going to Karachi or Gulf Countries. Therefore a case can be made for creating a separate Makran province comprising Turbat, Panjgoor, Naq, Basima, Awaran, Ormara, Pasni, Gawadar and Jevani. Turbat would be the natural capital of the proposed province due to its population concentration. This region is distit in its population composition as it comprises a good mix of Afro Pakistanis who are by nature humble, friendly and not too interested in politics. The people of this region may be pursued to look at their own interest and forget about the rest of Baluchistan as this region has its own problems and it has little common with rest of Baluchistan.
With Deep sea port of Gawadar, Industrial hub at Turbat and Beach Tourism at Ormara, Pasni and Jevani the province would be a viable entity and a very peaceful part of Pakistan.
- Build essential roads first:
Instead of trying to build all roads at once, important sections of the roads may be completed linking major towns like Turbat, Panjgoor. Current half finished road from Zero Point near Gawadar to Panjgoor if completed will earn a huge amount of goodwill from the people in the Region. These are major population bases of Baluchistan.
- A short cut to Panjgoor is needed:
The other priority road for the Makran Region would be road from Mukkala (between Ormara and Pasni) to Hushab. From Hushab road goes to Panjgoor. This will reduce travel time to Panjgoor from Karachi a great deal. It will also shorten distance from Karachi to Turbat. The current road from Zero point is a big detour for Turbat or Panjgoor passengers.
- Banezir Income Support Fund:
Has been activated in the area and has been very thankfully received. Given the high incidence of drug addiction in the Makran Region, families need to be given extra ordinary help. More than normal funds may be allocated to this Region for next few years.
- Lack of industries and employment opportunities:
These are no industry in the Makran Region other than some flour mills. A Date processing Unit set up by an Overseas Pakistan remains closed. There is need to revive this and set up more process industry to value add substantial Date production the Area. With added production from Mirani Dam irrigated areas on top of existing Agro forestry production from the extended valley of Turbat, other Agri industry may become viable.
- Green Valley tourism potential:
Khushab, Turbat and Mand offer green valley scenery and are potential tourist resorts. Tourism can bring a large number of much needed jobs to the Region and also remove isolation of its people.
- Viability of Garment industry:
Government of Baluchistan can expand its Community Centers for Carpet, Embroidery and Switching existing in small towns. These centers where Ladies make traditional dresses and Carpets can be used to also produce commercial type products in collaboration with big Garment factories in Karachi. They can take bulk orders for switching Shalwar Kameez and embroidery on latest machines. Given the huge wage differential such venture is bond to be profitable and expand job opportunity substantially.
- More Cadet Schools and Colleges are needed:
A number of Cadet Schools and Colleges should be established all over Makran Region to give a boost to number of Baluch in the Army. As a martial race they are very suitable for this occupation. Once they a respectable share in Army jobs their sense of deprivation will fade away.
