By Our Foreign Correspondent
In Pakistan’s south-western province of Balochistan, a region described by local voices as rich in natural resources yet chronically deprived of public services, a single woman’s efforts to educate children have come to symbolise a wider sense of grievance.
Balochistan is said to contain vast reserves of oil, gas, gold, copper, uranium and coal, resources that local commentators argue generate revenues worth trillions of dollars. According to these claims, the benefits of this wealth are largely enjoyed elsewhere in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, where extensive networks of schools, universities, scholarship schemes and educational facilities are concentrated.
By contrast, critics say that despite contributing for decades to Pakistan’s economy, defence and public services, Balochistan’s own population remains deprived of education, healthcare and basic infrastructure.
The disparity is illustrated in the Sanni area of Khuzdar, close to what is described as Pakistan’s second-largest military cantonment. The area is associated with the extraction of minerals including gas, marble and chromite. Yet, according to local accounts, there is not a single proper classroom for children.
In these conditions, a woman from the local community has taken it upon herself to teach boys and girls through self-help efforts. With no formal aid or resources, and supported only by her husband’s wages as a labourer, she reportedly provides basic school stationery and instruction to children, treating them as her own.
Her work has drawn attention on social media, where a video of the informal school has circulated widely, prompting renewed discussion about inequality and neglect in the province.
Local activists frame the situation as part of a broader struggle, saying the people of Balochistan face not only poverty but also religious extremism and a heavy military presence. They argue that resistance, education and community action are being pursued side by side.
Appeals have been made for international attention, with supporters calling on the global community to engage with what they describe as economic exploitation and repression in the region. They argue that only through greater awareness and involvement can Balochistan’s people hope to secure a more just and peaceful future for their homeland.
