Panjgoor a great oasis of Baluchistan.
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
Dated 29th April 2009
Big population centers, big reaction:
The recent killing of three Baluch nationalist leaders in Turbat and the subsequent massive uprising all over Baluchistan has bought Turbat and Panjgoor in the lime light. The scale of reaction in this otherwise peaceful area is a big set back for Pakistan. The cause of Pakistan has been harmed as more and more area seems to be siding with the nationalist forces demanding a separate Baluchistan comprising areas in Pakistan as well as Iran.
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.
Given Iran’s prominence in the area and their known brutal attitude towards nationalist Baluch (they hang them in public for weeks) the possibility of Iranian secret service involvement in the killing can not be ruled out. However until such time that this fact can be established Pakistan’s establishment will remain under fire.
I visited the place in 1st week of March when things were normal. A brief on my visit follows:
A great green depression:
After Turbat, Panjgoor is the second biggest town of Baluchistan in terms of Baluch population. The large population is sustained by huge reservoir of water which get collected in this shallow land surrounded by a massive desert and large mountains Ranges of Siahan and Central Makran in North and South. Water from as far as Surab some 500 km away drain towards Panjgoor is a very slow and gradual incline.
To the west and south lies a vast marsh land in the center of which lies the lake of ‘Kap’. This makes the journey to Turbat only 250km away difficult. Therefore a longer route via Surab (the highest point in the area at 7,000 ft) is preferred when going from Karachi some 19 hours away. Panjgoor was quit cold in the morning when I visited it in 1st week of March as it is located at a height of 5,000 feet. To the North West lies the border town of Kuhak from which road leads to Iranian Town of Sarawan and onwards to Have.
Panjgoor (meaning five graves) is name given to 12 large villages in the oasis. The villages are large with huge mud walled compounds with farms and houses. There are few large concrete compounds as well belonging to rich in the area, however overall it is a very poor looking place with few employment opportunities other than agriculture. This compels young and educated to seek employment in the Gulf. A large number of people from this area work in Police and other security establishment throughout Gulf and are a major source of economic support in the area. Therefore Overseas Baluch yield lot of economic and political influence in the area.
The center is called ‘Therkit’ where all Banks, business houses and hotels are located. The presence of NBP, MCB.UBL, ABL, and Askari Bank indicates the commercial importance of Panjgoor (meaning five graves).
A significant agro forestry center:
The underground water and water from Rivers Rakhshan, Niwan and Gwargo which passes through the middle of the oasis is channeled into underground canals (Karaze) through out the twelve large villages of Panjgoor.
All farms are ringed by date tree which provides shade from extreme heat and within which farming of wheat, barley, soghum, vegetables goes on. Cattle in large number are kept in these farms.
Dates of Panjgoor are known for their quality and its production and processing is by far the biggest economic activity of the area. However there is no date processing factory in the area. One modern date processing plant has economic viability in the area. ZTBL can provide soft termed loan for this purpose to start a industrial base in the area.
Border Town activities:
- A major Iranian oil center:
Every morning there is a great market of smuggled Iranian Oil in the city center. A large number of medium sized trucks laden with hundreds of 10 gallon oil canisters assemble for auctioning to the highest bidder. The market is free and competitive governed by forces of demand and supply. Price change rapidly in response to ease or tightness at the border. Most trucks are from Iran driven by Iranians. Buyer are Pakistanis who either buy in small quantities for local needs or big traders who buy to meet needs of far off places like Surab, Khuzdar or Kalat. These merchants have large compounds nearby where they gather and fill large oil tankers displaying the name of PSO for transport to far off places.
Iranian Oil thus brought it meets the need of all Oil needs of a large area of Pakistan saving millions of dollars in foreign exchange.
- Rice, Atta and other items:
Rice form Pakistan going to Iran is another important item of trade from Panjgoor. Against Rice these days Atta is bought in from Iran. Other items traded across the border include detergents, soaps, cold drinks, and plastic goods.
- Human smuggling center:
It is reported that for a small amount of money one can cross into Iran from Panjgoor. Mainly Oil smuggling trucks carry human being back to Iran for a consideration. They use off track routes and deliver people to safe homes from where they are taken towards Turkey. A large number of motor cycles owner do the same job for passenger without luggage at a much lesser price. Large number of Bengalis have been able to reach Greece in Europe using these routes.
Business prospects:
a) I managed to get a room in the one of the two modest Hotels called ZAIN near the main bazaar for Rs 250 per night. There is scope for better hotels in the town. The food in the basic restaurant nearby was OK. There are only few restaurant in town but none of good quality. There is scope of good hotels and 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 overseas Baluch are 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 Companies. Except for U Phone no other SIM works in this town.
Recommendations:
- 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.
- The other priority road for the Makran Region would be road from Mukkala (between Ormara and Pasni) to Hoshab. From Hoshab 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.
- Benazir 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.
- These is no industry in Panjgoor. A modern Date processing Unit may be set up with Bank loan to add value and create jobs, given the substantial Date production of the Area.
- There is a room for internal tourism. At a height of 5,000 and with green surrounding and rivers Panjgoor offer cool and pleasant climate during summer. People, particularly Baluch communities of low lands, will prefer to go to these places instead of going to Northern Areas, if tourist facilities are developed. Tourism can bring a large number of much needed jobs to the Region and also remove isolation of its people.
- Government of Baluchistan can expand its Community Centers for Carpet, Embroidery and Switching existing in small towns like Panjgoor. 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.
