Balochistan’s political history has been shaped by the dominance of tribal Sardars who, despite holding power repeatedly, have failed to deliver development and prosperity to the province’s people. Since the first elected government of Balochistan in 1972, the Sardars have positioned themselves as the guardians of Baloch rights. Yet, their governance has been marked by inefficiency, corruption, and economic stagnation. Over the decades, these feudal elites have held key political positions, controlling the province’s resources and administration, but have consistently blamed the establishment for their failures.
From the 1970s onward, Balochistan’s leadership has been a revolving door of feudal lords who, while holding ministerial and chief ministerial positions, have deliberately kept the province underdeveloped to maintain control. The federal government allocated resources for development, but a significant portion of these funds were misused or pocketed by provincial elites. During the Bhutto and Zia regimes, federal investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare were systematically derailed by Sardars who feared modernization would erode their tribal dominance. Instead of utilizing government resources to improve the lives of ordinary Baloch people, these leaders prioritized personal wealth accumulation and perpetuated tribal conflicts to maintain their influence.
As democracy returned in 1988, the same pattern continued, with Sardars and feudal lords occupying key government positions yet failing to implement meaningful reforms. Nawab Akbar Bugti, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, and Sardar Akhtar Mengal all held leadership positions at different times, but rather than focusing on education, industry, and infrastructure, they engaged in patronage politics. Corruption remained rampant, with development funds being siphoned off while essential services like health and education remained in shambles. When questioned about the province’s dismal condition, these leaders conveniently shifted the blame onto the federal government and the establishment, deflecting attention from their own misgovernance.
After 2008, the incompetence of Balochistan’s ruling elite became even more evident. The government of Nawab Aslam Raisani (2008-2013) was riddled with corruption, with reports indicating that almost half of the funds allocated for education, health, and infrastructure were wasted or stolen. Despite an increase in federal budgetary allocations—rising from Rs. 16 billion in 2008-09 to Rs. 22 billion in 2012-13—the impact on the ground remained negligible. Ghost schools, nonexistent hospitals, and incomplete infrastructure projects were the defining features of Raisani’s tenure. Meanwhile, the Sardars in power continued to paint themselves as victims of federal neglect, using the narrative of Baloch deprivation to cover up their own failures.
The 2013-2018 government under Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch and Nawab Sanaullah Zehri followed the same trajectory. Under Malik, there was a brief attempt to introduce reforms, but he was swiftly replaced by Zehri, a feudal leader who reinstated the old system of patronage and inefficiency. During this period, Balochistan received a record federal allocation of Rs. 35 billion in 2017-18, yet the province remained the least developed in Pakistan. The massive corruption in provincial departments, particularly in education and health, resulted in millions being misappropriated while the common people of Balochistan saw no improvement in their living conditions. The Sardars who ruled the province conveniently blamed the establishment and Islamabad, claiming that Balochistan’s resources were being exploited. In reality, it was their mismanagement that kept the province backward.
With the formation of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) in 2018, there was hope that a new leadership would break the cycle of feudal dominance, but the party soon fell into the same trap. Under Jam Kamal Khan Alyani (2018-2021) and later Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo (2021-2023), the provincial government mismanaged resources. Despite receiving Rs. 50.5 billion in 2020-21 and Rs. 55 billion in 2022-23 from the federal budget, the development of Balochistan remained stagnant. The CPEC projects that could have transformed the province were instead used as a political tool by Sardars, who maligned the initiative while secretly benefiting from contracts and land deals.
The most striking example of hypocrisy was the Gwadar protests, where local fishermen and traders demanded jobs and infrastructure improvements. Instead of addressing the genuine grievances of the people, the Sardars in power continued to exploit the situation for political mileage, fueling anti-state sentiments while enjoying the privileges of government positions. The reality is that development projects such as the Gwadar Port, Saindak Copper-Gold Project, and road networks under CPEC were met with opposition not from the people of Balochistan but from Sardars who feared that economic progress would loosen their grip on the population.
The same trend continues even in the most recent government under Sarfraz Bugti. Corruption and inefficiency persist despite efforts to integrate traditional leadership into formal governance structures. Completing projects like the New Gwadar International Airport in 2024 should have been a milestone for the province. Yet, it remains underutilized due to security concerns and mismanagement at the provincial level. Once again, Sardars and political elites point fingers at the establishment while continuing to plunder resources meant for the common people.
Balochistan’s ongoing challenges are not the result of federal neglect but of its ruling class’s deliberate obstruction of progress. The Sardars, who have controlled the province for decades, have resisted modernization, sabotaged development initiatives, and manipulated political narratives to maintain their authority. Their strategy has been simple: exploit the province’s resources, mismanage its development funds, and then blame the establishment to divert attention from their failures.
The only way forward for Balochistan is to break free from the feudal stronghold that has kept it in perpetual underdevelopment. Instead of falling for the Sardars’ false narratives, the people of Balochistan must demand accountability from their leaders. The province has been given ample resources, investment opportunities, and federal support, yet its condition remains dire because those in power have chosen personal gain over public service. Only a new leadership- free from corrupt feudal elites’ influence—can bring prosperity to Balochistan.
Author’s Bio:
Sahar Aman, a TEFL Master’s graduate, is a sharp-minded researcher and policy analyst with a keen eye on defense strategies and geopolitical trends. With a talent for content creation and in-depth analysis, she brings fresh perspectives to research publications and policy discussions, shaping narratives that matter.
