Spokesman Report
Karachi : Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) & All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Chairman National Business Group Pakistan (NBG), Chairman FPCCI Policy Advisory Board and Former Provincial Minister of Information Technology, has that Loralai district of Balochistan possesses economic potential in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, minerals and interprovincial trade. However, inadequate security, water and electricity shortages, poor road connectivity, limited processing facilities and a lack of skilled human resources are preventing the district from fully benefiting from its resources. He said that sustainable peace and secure trade routes are prerequisites for investment and industrial development. Therefore, Loralai’s economic planning and security arrangements must be modernised and integrated.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that Loralai covers 3,785 square kilometres and has a population of 272,000, of which nearly 78 percent lives in rural areas. Its economy largely depends on horticulture, livestock, mining and trade through the N-70 National Highway. The district connects Balochistan with Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan and Central Asian markets, but this advantage requires a coordinated government strategy. He said that more than 62 percent of Loralai’s population is below the age of 20. This young population can become a major economic strength if provided with education, technical training and employment. However, the lack of opportunities is contributing to unemployment, poverty, informal trade and crime. With an overall literacy rate of 43 percent and female literacy of around 31 percent, the government should introduce vocational courses in digital skills, mining machinery, solar technology, food processing, heavy transport and women’s skills development.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that Loralai’s olives, almonds, apples and apricots can secure a prominent place in domestic and international markets. The silver award received by Loralai olive oil at the 2025 New York International Olive Oil Competition reflects the quality of its agricultural products. However, farmers are unable to fetch fair prices due to the absence of cold storage, grading, packaging, certification, branding and modern transportation. He stressed the need for an integrated agro-processing zone, cold-chain facilities, fruit-drying units, olive-oil extraction plants and international-standard packaging centres. These facilities would reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ incomes and create employment.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that Loralai also possesses reserves of fluorite, marble, coal and other minerals, but exporting them in raw form provides limited benefits to the local economy. Fluorite processing, marble cutting and polishing, mineral grading and other value-added units should be established. The proposed Marble City and mineral-processing cluster should be completed without delay, while an appropriate share of mineral royalties should be spent on roads, hospitals, education, water supply and mine workers’ safety. He said that Loralai’s economic development cannot be separated from its security situation. Limited resources, inadequate vehicles, weak communication systems and difficulties in reaching remote areas are affecting the police and Levies Force. Inadequate security on the N-70 National Highway, in mining areas and at commercial sites increases transport costs, insurance premiums and business risks, discouraging investors. He called for a Safe City project, modern surveillance at entry and exit points, coordinated checkpoints along the N-70, a CCTV network, rapid-response vehicles and digital communication between the police and Levies Force. Intelligence-based operations should be conducted along commercial routes and in mineral areas, while the writ of the state should be strengthened to curb smuggling, highway crime and illegal weapons.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the N-70 National Highway is the economic lifeline of Loralai and northeastern Balochistan. Making it secure, wider and usable throughout the year, together with truck terminals, rescue centres, warehouses, cold storage and cargo-handling facilities, could increase trade between Punjab and Balochistan. Road closures caused by accidents, disputes or security incidents disrupt the movement of agricultural produce and minerals, harming farmers, traders, transporters and consumers. He said that agriculture in Loralai largely depends on groundwater and tube wells, while continuous extraction has lowered the water table to a dangerous level. The government should promote drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, small reservoirs for groundwater recharge and efficient irrigation systems. Uncontrolled extraction through solar-powered tube wells must also be regulated.
Mian Zahid Hussain proposed the appointment of an empowered District Economic Commissioner to coordinate with the district administration, police, Levies Force, FPCCI, provincial government, financial institutions, investors, tribal leadership and local business community. He concluded that planning, stronger state authority, modern infrastructure, value addition and local participation could transform Loralai into a major agricultural, mineral, commercial and export centre. With proper development of its resources and trade potential, the district could add economic activity and revenues of one billion dollars annually.
