Centre for Development and Stability
The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS), organized a seminar in Deputy Commissioner Office, Khuzdar, Balochistan, titled “Khuzdar’s Strategic Location: A Catalyst for Regional Trade and Development.” This event was held on 4 July 2025. The event brought together policymakers, local Media, scholars, tribal notables, youth activists, and development professionals to discuss the geostrategic importance of Khuzdar in the context of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the damaging impact of Indian sponsored proxies in Khuzdar and Balochistan as a whole.
Guests and participants, including tribal notables and youth representatives joined the event. Guests and participants included: Mir Hamza, Advisor to Chief Minister on Local Government of Balochisatan, Zaid M Hasni, Mir Shabaz Qalandarani , Attique Ur Rehman Sajidi , Shazad Khan Ghulamani, Fida Ahmed Qalandarani, Raees Sadiq Gazgi, Shahbaz khan Ghulamani, Ali Akbar, Ijaz Ahmad Zai, Jan Muhammad Sheikh, Ghous Baksh Gazgi, Najeeb Ullah, Khalil Ullah, Abdul Haq Mosiani, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Tariq Ahmed, Abdul Hameed, Shafiq Sajidi, Muhammad Younas, Habib Ur Rehman Mosiani, Nadeem Ur Rehman Jam, Hafeez Shah, Auran Zaib, Nemat Ullah, Shahmir Umrani, Ulfat Hasni, Raees Samad, Mir Salman, Mir Qadir Botani, Zardarzada Amir Muhammad Hasni, Ali Ahmed, Mir Umer, Faisal Bajoi, Faisal Zehri, Amir Mumtaz, Atur Mengal, Mir Aziz Hasni, Israr Sasoti, Dur Muhammad, Muhammad Kabir, Jaber Muhammad Hasni, Zahoor Ahmed, Hameed Jattak, Bilal Channal, Muhammad Basheer, Mir Maqbool, Dilshad Sasoti, Mir Masood Mengal, Mir Ali Akbar, and Mir Khald.
Insights of the guest speakers were as follows:
Nawabzada Mir Hamza stated that Khuzdar importance cannot be underestimated in Balochistan and in the CPEC project. Khuzdar serves as a key intersection linking central Balochistan to major CPEC routes. Besides, Gwadar Port is the crown jewel of CPEC. It offers China and Pakistan strategic access to global maritime trade. Therefore, both Khuzdar and Gwadar are vital for utilising Balochistan’s economic potential and reducing local grievances. The youth of Balochistan is brave.
Furthermore, Mr. Hamza emphasized that our youth is strength and the future of this land. Youth should not let lies divide them. India and its proxies like the BLA want to poison their minds, break their unity, and steal their future with false promises. This hatred must be rejected. They are advised to rise with knowledge and stand with truth. Because their loyalty, courage, and wisdom are the shield of Balochistan.
Dr. Irfan Ashraf, Director General CDS, while addressing the participants, encouraged the notables of Khuzdar district to express their views regarding CPEC and other relevant matters. He highlighted the role of CDS and the impact of the seminar conducted in 2024 at Sardar Bahadur Khan University (SBK). He mentioned that SBK students are now effectively projecting and conveying the narrative necessary for the prosperity of Balochistan and its people.
He emphasized the crucial role of Khuzdar’s notables, urging them to step forward and motivate the local population. Khuzdar, he stated, is not only geo-strategically important for CPEC but also for the whole of Pakistan. “Our enemies want to destroy and disengage you from economical and development impact of CPEC, and even from the region at the global level, he said. Through collaboration, joint ventures in development projects, success can be achieved.
CPEC has already contributed significantly to the uplift of Balochistan. The youth of Balochistan are direct beneficiaries of various CPEC projects. These projects include scholarships for local students in China, skill development programs, women’s empowerment initiatives, job opportunities in CPEC-related projects. He further said that CDS, as a platform, will amplify your voices and make them heard by higher authorities and decision-making bodies.
Raja Faisal, a Geopolitical Analyst, stated that India seeks to destroy progress by opening a western front to suppress Pakistan’s development. He mentioned Indian espionage activities such as those of Kulbhushan Jadhav as proof. “To prove them wrong, we must take full advantage of CPEC, it’s a game-changer,” he urged. He also explained that for China, CPEC is strategically vital due to the potential closure of the Malacca Strait in a conflict scenario; in such a case, Gwadar Port would be the best alternative sea route.
He elaborated on India’s defensive doctrine targeting Pakistan through proxy operations in Balochistan to provoke hate and disunity. He said that their goal is to engage the youth in terrorism and separatism. They use social media to manipulate minds, operating accounts from Delhi using names like Mingle, Baloch, and Marri to spread Indian propaganda.
Further he explained that this is 5th Generation Warfare where disinformation is weaponized to destabilize Balochistan. The narrative that Balochistan seeks freedom from Pakistan is Indian propaganda. Marri, Bugti, Mengal, and others are Baloch and Pakistani. Pakistan belongs to them, and they belong to Pakistan. India’s disinformation campaign aims to divide us. He emphasized that CPEC is great opportunity, moreover, unity and faith form the foundation, and discipline is the path forward.
Frontier Core Commandant Col. Abdul Hafeez reminded the participants that ordinary citizens should not underestimate their role. He quoted Allama Iqbal’s verse:
‘The destiny of nations lies in the hands of individuals
Every individual is a star in the fate of the community”
He urged the youth to become self-reliant. No one will come from outside to build your future. Construction is difficult, but destruction is easy. Focus on your duties before demanding your rights. A collective approach is vital for development and harmony. He asked to reflect—What legacy are we leaving behind—prosperity or terrorism, hate, and extremism? He said that peace is the foundation of every development. He said that the time will come when Pakistan becomes the stable, prosperous nation Allama Iqbal envisioned.
Zaid Hasni, a tribal notable, remarked that terrorism is a brutal curse that has claimed over 300 lives in their area. But these brutalities cannot terrorize them. He said that we can counter them by showing love and respect for our country. Young people being terrorized and manipulated within educational institutions, having their minds brainwashed. Enemies like the BLA aim to tear apart Balochistan and Pakistan, but they will not succeed.
Attiq-ur-Rehman Sajdi, a tribal notable, stated that the Baloch population in Balochistan is over 6 million and this population will never back down. Whatever India wants, we won’t allow it. We are not afraid. He said the biggest issue in Balochistan is unemployment, which fuels grievances and vulnerabilities. This must be addressed. That’s how India finds space to operate here.
Mir Shabaz Qalandrani, another tribal notable, said that we are the sons of martyrs, and we are proud of it. He urged the people of Balochistan not to fall into India’s trap. Don’t be fuel for their agenda. He stressed the importance of Khuzdar and called it the most important district in the CPEC project. Don’t let Indian proxies snatch this opportunity from us. He called on his fellow tribal elders to strengthen local surveillance systems, monitor anti-state, anti-CPEC, and anti-Balochistan activities, and counter them. He said that if we don’t work for our own people, who else will?
All participants and guest speakers expressed their gratitude to CDS for organizing the seminar in Khuzdar and helping their voices reach decision-makers. Many suggested holding such seminars monthly. They expressed that people desire prosperity, but terrorism hinders it. Terrorist attacks destroy infrastructure. Internet services get disrupted. To ensure peace, stability, and development, this menace must be eliminated once and for all.
