As the year 2025 draws to a close, the overall performance of the Balochistan government reflects a mix of notable achievements and slow progress across key sectors, according to an official and policy review of the year.
During the year, the provincial government introduced several initiatives in education, transport, urban development, employment, agriculture and social welfare, some of which have begun to show an impact on the province’s social and economic landscape. However, performance in a number of sectors remained sluggish, raising questions about implementation and administrative capacity.
In Quetta, the government expanded the Green Bus project by adding 12 new buses to improve public transport facilities. To address women’s safety concerns, a dedicated Pink Bus service was also launched with five buses, an initiative that received positive public response.
Under the Quetta Development Plan, major city roads were widened, illegal parking was removed and traffic flow improved. Officials say these measures also enhanced the city’s overall appearance and reduced congestion in key areas.
Law enforcement and government agencies intensified operations against smuggling within and around Quetta. Several consignments of smuggled goods were seized, and legal action was initiated against those involved, contributing to a reported decline in illegal trade.
Education emerged as one of the stronger-performing sectors. The provincial government allocated Rs32 billion for education-related initiatives, including school improvements, teachers’ salaries and scholarships for around one million students. During the year, 3,200 closed schools were restored, more than 2,000 absentee teachers were dismissed, and scholarship programmes were expanded to include placements at prestigious institutions, including Oxford University.
Additional measures included higher education opportunities for 400 students from labour-class families, educational grants for families of martyrs, minority communities and transgender persons, and the launch of a mobile library project to reach children in remote areas. An early warning system was also introduced to help reduce school dropout rates.
To enhance youth employment and skills development, the government revived the provincial flying club and established a Youth Resource Centre aimed at providing career guidance and professional training.
In agriculture, efforts continued to shift farms and orchards to solar energy, though the distribution of tractors and agricultural machinery announced for farmers could not be initiated during the year.
Despite an allocation of Rs50 billion for the communication sector, visible progress on infrastructure projects remained limited. Similarly, plans to operate 10 government hospitals under a public-private partnership model did not materialise. Shortages of medicines and basic medical facilities persisted in public hospitals.
On the social welfare front, improvements were reported, including a 27 percent increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme payments. Support to vulnerable families under the Kafalat programme also continued. The government completed its National Climate Change Strategy, with implementation expected to begin soon.
The provincial government also laid the foundation stone for a special housing scheme for journalists in Quetta, under which residential flats are expected to be provided in the coming year.
Overall, the Balochistan government’s performance in 2025 can be described as partially successful. Transport reforms, urban development in Quetta, improvements in the education sector, school restorations, the launch of the Pink Bus service and anti-smuggling operations highlighted positive aspects of governance.
However, delays in health, communication and key agricultural initiatives underscored administrative challenges and the need for more effective planning and execution. Analysts suggest that sustained focus on lagging sectors could accelerate the province’s development trajectory in the years ahead.
