Nushki: an important trading post.
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
                           Dated 07 Dec 2008

Iranian goods in abundance:
Nushki located in the north eastern part of Baluchistan is an important market for goods coming from Iran and Afghanistan. In its market Iranian Carpet, Blanket, Petrol, Diesel, Cold drinks, Soap, Detergents, and Cigarettes compete openly with Pakistani goods. From Afghanistan comes Goats, Camel and Electronic goods but on a much lower scale compared to Chaman, as the road link is poor and long.

The market is relatively large and is mostly manned by Hindu community with Pathans and Baloch here and there. The sizable Hindu community has a nice Temple in the middle of the market near the main Mosque. Viewed from the top of the hill it gives a good feeling to see a Temple and Mosque co existing in such ease. Credit must be given to the broad mindedness of Baloch nation who have preserved the Hindu Community through out Baloch dominated area. This is not true in Pathan areas.

Good profit margins:
Most Pathans are involved in small scale trade of Iranian Blanket and Carpets. These are sold here at 60-70% price of same item in Karachi. This substantial margin drives the market.

Large stores have a wide range of goods both from Iran and Pakistan. However Iranian Detergents, Soap, Cold drink, Cigarettes are reportedly the hot item and account for most of the trade. These are also sold at 30-40 % discount compared to their prices in Karachi. This brings lot of traders from all over Pakistan to buy goods. There is efficient transport system for sending goods by trucks. Pathans control the transport business in the town like else where.

Business prospects:
a) I managed to get a room in the only decent Hotel near the main bazaar for Rs 200 per night. There is scope for better hotels in the town.  The food in the hotel was OK but outside good eating places were lacking. There is scope of good restaurants in the town.

b) There seems to be no entertainment center in the town. There is scope for game parlors and internet cafes.

c) 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 they will do good business as people are generally well off and ready to spend money on good education.

d) Government clinic and hospital are the only source of treatment. Here again Private Hospital chain and Diagnostic Centers can consider this market.

e) This area is also neglected by Mobile Phone Company. Except for Zong no other SIM works in this town.

Importance of Nushki is expected to increase with peace coming to Afghanistan. If a road from Herat to Nushki could be built it could become the nearest connection with Karachi via Kalat. This route can complete with Chaman route which would remain useful for goods going and coming from upper and middle Pakistan while Nushki route would serve southern Pakistan. I am sure this will happen within the next 10 years by which time one road may also come down from Herat to Gwadar. Such road will be shortest link to warm waters to Russia and other northern countries and establish the viability of Gwadar. 

Getting there and climate:
From Kalat one can go to Nushki directly avoiding a long detour via Mustung. The secondary but good quality road passes through mostly barren land but with small scale farms along villages. Migrant workers are seen camping near farms to earn a seasonal income. The winding road finally connects with the Main road and Railway coming from Quetta and going to Taftan on Iranian border. The main road is better and has number of FC check posts and strong fortification which was missing on the secondary road.

Nushki situated at a height of 3,000 feet is located between a dried river and small hills. The main market and Government Offices are located at the foot of the hills while most residential area is on the hill. When I visited the Area in Ist week of September the weather is very dry and not very hot. The area is barren with almost no greenery.

I was able to walk through most of the town on foot. The steep climb up the hills was very enjoyable. With houses on the slope it appeared that one house was on top of other. There is a small garden at the end of the town but that too not well maintained. The people are very hospitable and I had a good time there.

Security and political climate:
The security of the Area is fool proof with four layers of security personnel keep a close watch of all activity. The local militia and police petrol and control the town, while FC guards all major entrance and exit point. I have never seen such active patrolling by police as in Nushki.

Politically the town seems inclined to Baloch nationalist parties, however BNP of Akhtar Mengal seems to be most popular. Some Nationalist parties would like to see an Independent Baluchistan while other wants lot of autonomy. There struggle in the form of BLA continues, however the prospects of winning against the Sandemanian security system seems slim. A negotiated settlement is the best option.

As demonstrated by their accommodation of sizeable Hindu business community in their midst, Baloch are generally secular bended people and have a broad outlook of the world. They want to see improvement in the life of their people and would generally support and protect any business which is opened to serve their people.