Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Sunday said that the lack of access to education is a core reason behind growing frustration among Balochistan’s youth, calling for comprehensive educational and economic reforms as the only sustainable route to peace in the province.
Addressing a ceremony in Gwadar marking the launch of the expanded Z-Connect programme, Rehman stressed that Balochistan’s long-standing issues cannot be resolved through force. The programme is an upgraded version of Alkhidmat Foundation’s Bano Qabil IT initiative and is designed to equip young people with marketable skills and economic opportunities.
He highlighted that nearly half of Balochistan’s school-age children remain out of school, describing the situation as alarming and directly linked to anger and alienation among the youth. According to Rehman, unemployment and the denial of basic rights have created deep resentment, which cannot be addressed without investing in people.
The Z-Connect programme aims to bridge this gap by offering free IT education, technical and vocational training, interest-free loans, moral development and sports activities. Thousands of young men and women appeared in entry tests during the launch event, reflecting strong interest in skills-based education.
Rehman also connected the education and employment crisis to broader political and social grievances in the province. He demanded the resolution of missing persons cases and called for the removal of restrictions on border trade with Iran, arguing that such measures would help stabilise livelihoods in border areas.
Criticising the existing governance framework, he said Balochistan’s natural resources must primarily benefit its own people, describing the current system as deeply flawed. He maintained that national development is impossible without peace and justice in Balochistan.
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Urging Baloch youth to pursue a peaceful struggle for their rights, Rehman said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue advocating for education-led reforms and inclusive development as the foundation for lasting stability in the province.
