Balochistan: The Development Perspective
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and one of its most resource-rich regions, yet it continues to face significant challenges in human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment and access to economic opportunities.
What does development mean in the context of Balochistan? What are the major gaps holding back human and economic development? How can the province’s natural and human resources contribute to sustainable growth and greater opportunities for its people? And what role can education, infrastructure, investment, technology and local participation play in shaping its future?
This conversation will look at Balochistan primarily through the lens of development, exploring the province’s challenges, opportunities and untapped potential, while considering what a more inclusive, sustainable and people-centred development path could look like.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Faiz M. Kakar is a prominent environmentalist and development expert with extensive experience in environmental conservation, sustainable development, public policy and international development. Over the course of his career, he has worked with the United Nations system for around 15 years, serving in various capacities with organisations including UNDP, FAO and UNHCR. He has also served as a consultant and national manager on development programmes and has led international teams in programme evaluation, including as Team Leader for an FAO programme evaluation.
Dr. Kakar has held leadership roles with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), working across regions including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad. His work has focused on environmental conservation, natural resource management, climate change, sustainable development and community-based approaches to development. He has also contributed to initiatives concerning ecological restoration and environmental policy, including work associated with the Living Indus initiative.
He has served as a Caretaker Provincial Minister and has also been nominated for the position of Member of the Election Commission of Pakistan from Balochistan. In 2019, his name was among those formally proposed for the position.
Dr. Kakar holds a doctorate in Development Studies and Environment, with his doctoral research completed at Queensland University in Brisbane, Australia, and has undertaken specialised training in Environmental Leadership at the University of California, Berkeley. He has also served as visiting faculty and has written and contributed to numerous research papers, policy documents and articles on environment, development and related issues.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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