Rural Pakistan: New Infrastructure Driving Socioeconomic Revolution in Tharparkar

[Riaz Haq]

In a 2018 New York Times Op Ed titled "How Not to Engage With Pakistan",  ex US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G. Olson wrote: "Its (CPEC's) magnitude and its transformation of parts of Pakistan dwarf anything the United States has ever undertaken". Among the parts of Pakistan being transformed by China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are some of the least developed regions in Balochistan and Sindh, specifically Gwadar and Thar Desert. Over 70% of Thar desert's population is Hindu. 

Tharparkar: Road Built Under CPEC. Source: Emmanuel Guddu

More recently, Pakistani architect and social activist Arif Hasan has detailed the socioeconomic impact of new infrastructure in Tharparkar district, further reinforcing what Ambassador Olson wrote about how CPEC is transforming Pakistan's least developed areas. In his book titled "Tharparkar: Drought, Development, and Social Change", author Arif Hasan has highlighted the following (excerpted from Arif Hasan's recent piece published in Dawn):

1. New roads, airports, solar panels, cell towers and mobile phones are opening up opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, education and healthcare for the Thari population. 

2. New infrastructure is empowering Thari women to challenge the long established patriarchy in Tharparkar. A major change has occurred in gender relations — males are less restrictive; there is an increase in education and hygiene; women now move around without male escorts. Women are giving up old traditional clothes for more fashionable dresses. 

3. Road construction in Thar that started in the Musharraf era (2000-2008)  has made transportation cheaper and easier. Before these new roads, the old six-wheeler kekra (WW II era American Army truck) was the only mode of vehicular transportation in the desert.  It was slow and expensive. It has now been replaced by normal Bedford trucks which are cheaper to run.   

4.  Bank loans to buy taxis are now available. Number of taxis operating in Thar has increased from 150 to over 400, while the qingqis in Mithi have increased from over 150 to over 300 since 2013. 

5. The old kekras (old American Army 6-wheelers) have been converted into water tankers; people can now actually order one by phone, to pick up potable water from Mithi and deliver it to villages. 

6. The new roads have helped substantially increase trade and commerce.  Thar’s agricultural produce now reaches distant markets — six to seven trucks per day carry onions from Nagarparkar to Lahore, and vegetables and fruit from other parts of Sindh and Punjab are now easily available in Thar.  

7. Roads have helped in the increase of salt and china clay mining. These have created more jobs, especially for those villages that are next to the mines. The lives of the families who have benefitted from this growth in the job market have changed and the first investments they make is in the building of pakka houses, with steel channel and brick-tiled roofs. Another important investment is in motorbikes, which makes flexible and faster mobility possible. People have sold their camels and donkeys to buy motorbikes.

8. Thari men now work in the garment industry in Karachi, where they save and send home Rs 10-12,000 a month.

9. Tourist traffic has grown in Thar with tens of thousands of people visiting the area every year after the rains and for the many religious festivals that the desert celebrates. Women producing traditional handicrafts are able to sell their wares to the tourists.  This creates economic opportunities for the local population. 

10. Dozens of carpentry workshops are now operating in Mithi. The carpenters have moved in from the rural areas of Thar, where they worked for the rural population, who paid them in grain. 

11. Number of retail stores has also increased — in Mithi there were 20 to 25 grocery stores in 2015, as opposed to seven or eight 10 years earlier. Earlier, the store owners used to travel to Hyderabad to buy goods but, today, because of the road and mobile phone, they just order the items from Karachi and the transporter delivers them. The clients at the stores are both rural and urban.

12. Access to healthcare units in district capital Mithi is a lot easier and faster, and has been of special importance in maternity-related cases.

13. With the construction of new roads, the villagers are now more willing to send their children to school, including girls, because schools are easier to access. 

Back in 2018, I wrote a post titled "CPEC is Transforming Least Developed Parts of Pakistan". Below is an except that talks about Thar development: 

Thar Desert:

Thar, one of the least developed regions of Pakistan, is seeing unprecedented development activity in energy and infrastructure projects.  New roads, airports and buildings are being built along with coal mines and power plants as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). There are construction workers and machinery visible everywhere in the desert. Among the key beneficiaries of this boom are Thari Hindu women who are being employed by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) as part of the plan to employ locals. Highlighted in recent news reports are two Hindu women in particular: Kiran Sadhwani, an engineer and Gulaban, a truck driver.

Kiran Sadhwani, a Thari Hindu Woman Engineer. Source: Express Tribune

Thar Population:

The region has a population of 1.6 million. Most of the residents are cattle herders. Majority of them are Hindus.  The area is home to 7 million cows, goats, sheep and camels. It provides more than half of the milk, meat and leather requirement of the province. Many residents live in poverty. They are vulnerable to recurring droughts.  About a quarter of them live where the coal mines are being developed, according to a report in The Wire.

Hindu Woman Truck Driver in Thar, Pakistan. Source: Reuters

Some of them are now being employed in development projects.  A recent report talked of an underground coal gasification pilot project near the town of Islamkot where "workers sourced from local communities rested their heads after long-hour shifts".

Hindu Woman Truck Driver in Thar, Pakistan. Source: Reuters

In the first phase, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) is relocating 5 villages that are located in block II.  SECMC is paying villagers for their homes and agricultural land.

SECMC’s chief executive officer, Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh, says his company "will construct model towns with all basic facilities including schools, healthcare, drinking water and filter plants and also allocate land for livestock grazing,” according to thethirdpole.net He says that the company is paying villagers above market prices for their land – Rs. 185,000 ($ 1,900) per acre.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

South Asia Investor Review

Thar Drought

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Abundant, Cheap Coal Electricity For Pakistan

Pakistan Health Indicators

Pakistan Sees Robust Growth in Consumption of Energy, Cement and Steel

Moringa Tree to Fight Malnutrition in Sindh

Pakistan's Social Sector Indicators

CPEC Transforming Least Developed Parts of Pakistan

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor FDI

Mobile Broadband Subscriptions and Smartphone Sales

Pakistan in MSCI Emerging Market Index

Riaz Haq's Youtube Channel

PakAlumni Social Network

[Riaz Haq]

In Pakistan’s Tharparkar, single mother defies gender norms to take up drumming as profession

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2332731/pakistan


MITHI, THARPARKAR: Rocking a colorful Rajasthani dress, singing Marwari folk songs, and playing a drum that hangs from her neck attached to a sturdy blue strap, Maryam Naz, 40, impresses her audience with her performance standing atop sand dunes in Tharparkar, a southern Pakistani desert region where seeing a woman publicly singing or playing instruments had largely been unheard of.

Playing a drum, which is a two-headed hand drum, is common all across the subcontinent in countless folk genres, devotional traditions, and family functions. In Pakistan, most drum players are men, therefore, seeing a woman playing the percussion instrument in public is a rare sight.

But for Naz, a single mother of six children hailing from Tharparkar’s Mithi city, traditionally-defined gender norms could not become a hurdle and she chose drumming as a profession when things turned difficult for her following her husband’s death in 2016 nearly a decade ago.

“After my husband’s death, I faced many problems, I was unable to feed my children,” Naz told Arab News. “I had to earn for my children, so I decided to sing and play in public.”

Naz, who also sings in Urdu, Sindhi, Dhatki and Marwari languages, belongs to the Manganiar community, which has produced many traditional folk musicians in India’s Rajasthan and Pakistan’s Tharparkar. Members of the community are known for their unique folk style and have contributed significantly to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

She says she learned singing and playing drum at the age of eight from prominent local singer and drum player, Ustaad Soomar Faqir, while her skills were further polished by her father, who also used to sing and play drum at weddings and other events.

Naz initially sang and played drum at weddings, but she was criticized when she took it up as a profession due to cultural norms. She, however, defied the norms and continued doing what she was best at, so much so that many Sindhi-language entertainment channels invited her on shows and appreciated her music skills.

Imtyaz Dharani, a local journalist, told Arab News he reported Naz’s story for the first time on his YouTube channel, Indus Globe, in 2020.

“I saw her first time playing dholak in a wedding function in Mithi, where she was playing dholak in an amazing way,” he said. “So far I haven’t found such a woman dholak (drum) player in the Sindh province.”

Naz says it is often difficult for her to make ends meet amid rising inflation in Pakistan and due to inconsistent earnings, but she is passionate about what she does.

“I could have another profession for earning, but I was passionate [about playing drum and singing],” she said. “I did not quit.”

Nadeem Jumani, a local poet from Tharparkar, said Naz had been playing drum alongside many prominent Sindhi singers, including Sanam Marvi and Allah Dino Junejo, but she did not get her due share of fame.

“She is a very talented artist, therefore [Sindh culture minister] Sardar Shah should give her a stipend,” Jumani said.

He added that Naz’s skills should be lauded as she was challenging the gender stereotypes created by the society.

“In a male-dominated society, it is difficult for women to do a government job, but she sings and plays drum [alongside] her male counterparts,” he said.

“After her initiative, the trend is changing here as other girls from her community are also coming forward to learn drum-playing skills.”

[Riaz Haq]

Solar energy empowers Pakistani women

https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-solar-energy-empowers-women-in-tharp...

In the desert areas of Tharparkar in Sindh province, Pakistan, employment at a solar energy plant has been a game changer for local women. In a region with high poverty levels, they are pleased to have a regular income — but can their jobs undo the impact of climate change?

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Coal firm plans Pakistan’s largest industrial solar project

https://www.pv-tech.org/coal-firm-plans-pakistans-largest-industria...


A Pakistani coal and power firm has contracted Karachi-based solar EPC firm Reon Energy to build a 5MW PV project to help power its mining operations, in what will be a first for Pakistan.

Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) wants the project to be installed at its Thar Coal Block II in Sindh Province and it will become the largest private C&I solar plant for captive consumption in the country to date, it claims.

SECMC is working on Pakistan’s first open-pit coal mine in the Thar Block II Islamkot. A powerplant is being constructed by the Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) at the mouth of the mine and this is expected to start generating electricity at the end of the current year.

In a release, SECMC said it was eyeing up both energy cost savings and a reduction in carbon emissions from the solar plant. The firm has the option to extend the contract during or after project completion, wherein Reon will provide O&M services for a 15-year period and then hand over the operations to SECMC.

Syed Abul Fazl Rizvi, COO of SECMC, said: “The 5MW solar energy system will contribute benefits equivalent to planting of about 220,000 trees and will be the largest private solar PPA in the country. This is also the first-ever initiative by a mining company in Pakistan to install solar power plant for it mining operations.”

Reon Energy CEO Mujtaba Haider Khan said: “Pakistan enjoys a geo-strategic advantage for producing abundant amounts of solar energy. Advancement in solar technology has not only improved solar’s efficiency but has also led to a massive reduction in costs. This is a landmark project that’ll significantly reduce the operating cost and carbon footprint.”

He also noted that the project would create dozens of jobs.

Reon is part of the investment holding company Dawood Hercules Corporation.

The Pakistani regulator, NEPRA, recently issued its tariff determinations for 300MW of solar with tariffs significantly below grid parity.

[Riaz Haq]

USF Invested Rs. 79 Billion in Rural Telecom Expansion in Last Five Years


https://propakistani.pk/2024/07/30/usf-invested-rs-79-billion-in-ru...

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has launched 85 projects worth Rs. 79.1 billion in the last five years to expand telecommunication services to rural, remote, and underserved areas of Pakistan.

According to a document seen by ProPakistani, in the last five years, USF has focused on providing 3G/4G services, launching 67 projects worth Rs. 51.4 billion. This effort has resulted in the installation of 2,600 telecom towers, covering 922 kilometers of highways and motorways, and connecting 27 tourist destinations across Pakistan.

USF’s efforts have made a significant impact, serving 24.2 million people in over 12,600 mauzas. The organization has also completed 18 optical fiber cable projects worth Rs. 27.7 billion, laying 10,260 kilometers of fiber to connect more than 926 union councils and towns.

According to the USF, the expansion of telecommunication services has far-reaching implications for the country, enabling greater connectivity and access to information. USF’s initiatives have bridged the digital divide, bringing modern communication services to previously unserved and underserved areas.

Through its projects, USF aims to promote digital inclusion and socio-economic development in Pakistan. By providing reliable and high-speed internet access, USF is empowering communities and driving economic growth in the country’s most remote and rural areas.

[Riaz Haq]

Barrick - Second Cohort of Graduates from Balochistan Selected for Reko Diq ‘International Graduate Development Program’


https://www.barrick.com/English/news/news-details/2024/Second-Cohor...

KARACHI – Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) is proud to announce the selection of eighteen talented young graduates from Balochistan for the second cohort of the prestigious RDMC International Graduate Development Program (IGP). As part of its to commitment to develop local and national employees, Barrick, the operator of RDMC, launched the International Graduate Development Program for the Reko Diq project in July 2023.

Welcoming IGP 2024 cohort at a ceremony in Karachi, Barrick CEO Mark Bristow said, “We are excited to have you join the Reko Diq International Graduate Development Program. Since its inception this program has aimed to engage young graduates like you from Balochistan to equip them with the skills necessary for successful careers at Reko Diq and in the mining industry. I would urge you to embrace this opportunity to learn, collaborate and shape the future of the Reko Diq project, your province and the country.”

For the 2024 program, a rigorous merit-based selection process led to the identification of eighteen exceptional graduates from a competitive pool of over 3,000 applicants. Among those selected are four women, underscoring Barrick's commitment to gender diversity within the mining sector. The graduates hold degrees in various fields, including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Mining Engineering, and Geology.

Like the selected graduates of 2023, this second batch of talented youth from Balochistan will embark on an intensive two-year on-the-job training program at Barrick’s mine sites at of Veladero in Argentina and Lumwana in Zambia. This hands-on experience is designed to equip them with practical skills and insights into world-class mining operations. Upon completion of the program, graduates typically return to Barrick operations in their home country, contributing to driving positive change in their communities.

The selected cohort represents a diverse range of districts in Balochistan, including Panjgur, Gwadar, Quetta, Loralai, Khuzdar, Noshki, Musa Khel, Killa Saifullah, Zhob, and the Chagai district where Reko Diq is located. Their participation in the program not only helps to address the regional skills gap but also promotes local empowerment and economic development.

[Riaz Haq]

How CPEC is shaping Pakistan’s economic future

https://azbigmedia.com/business/economy/how-cpec-is-shaping-pakista...

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is more than just an economic project; it is a transformational venture that promises to reshape the future of Pakistan. As part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC is aimed at enhancing connectivity and cooperation between Pakistan and China, while positioning Pakistan as a crucial economic player in the region.

Historical Context of CPEC
CPEC’s journey began in 2013, when Pakistan and China signed agreements aimed at developing infrastructure and energy projects across Pakistan. These initiatives were intended to bridge Pakistan’s development gaps and promote economic growth. Over time, the project has evolved into one of the most ambitious undertakings in the country’s history, with investments pouring into sectors such as transportation, energy, and communication.

Economic Benefits of CPEC for Pakistan
One of the key outcomes of CPEC is the transformation of Pakistan’s infrastructure landscape. The project has enabled the construction of road networks, railway lines, and ports, significantly improving the country’s connectivity. The Gwadar Port, a focal point of CPEC, is poised to become a major hub for trade, not only for Pakistan but for the broader region.

CPEC has also addressed Pakistan’s chronic energy crisis through the development of power projects. From coal-based power plants to renewable energy projects, CPEC has added much-needed capacity to Pakistan’s power generation, ensuring a stable supply of electricity to boost industrial growth.

Furthermore, the corridor has generated employment opportunities across Pakistan. From construction workers to skilled professionals, thousands of jobs have been created, contributing to economic stability.

“Pakistan’s economic potential is immense, and CPEC is paving the way for a brighter future,” shares Tahir Farooq, founder ofPakistan Economic Net. He emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and infrastructure development in driving sustainable growth for the region.

Geopolitical Significance
The geopolitical significance of CPEC cannot be understated. Pakistan’s strategic position allows CPEC to serve as a key trade route connecting China to the Middle East and beyond. This has not only strengthened China-Pakistan relations but also increased Pakistan’s importance in regional politics. The development of Gwadar Port further enhances Pakistan’s access to international trade routes, benefiting both Pakistan and neighboring regions.

Social and Regional Impacts
CPEC is also having a noticeable impact on local communities. In regions that were previously underdeveloped, investments in infrastructure are improving access to basic amenities, healthcare, and education. The socio-economic transformation that CPEC is driving is especially evident in rural and remote areas of Pakistan, where new infrastructure projects are bringing unprecedented opportunities for growth.

Challenges and Criticisms
However, CPEC is not without its challenges. Critics have raised concerns about Pakistan’s increasing debt burden and financial dependency on China. The environmental impact of large-scale construction projects is another major concern, with potential damage to local ecosystems and natural habitats.

There are also political challenges, particularly in regions where instability threatens the smooth progress of CPEC initiatives. Ensuring the safety of projects and personnel remains a priority, as regional tensions can have a direct impact on the success of the corridor.

Future Prospects of CPEC
Looking ahead, CPEC holds immense potential for driving Pakistan’s economic growth. As projects under CPEC continue to be completed, the corridor is expected to boost trade, create jobs, and diversify Pakistan’s economy. It is critical for policymakers to manage the challenges effectively to fully realize the benefits that CPEC offers.

[Riaz Haq]

Reko Diq Mining Company hosts open public forum in Nokkundi

https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/reko-diq-mining-company-hosts-open-...


QUETTA, Feb 21 (APP):Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) held an open public forum in Nokkundi held at RDMC Technical Institute, organized by The Hunar Foundation.
The event saw active participation from a diverse group of local stake holders including youth from Nokkundi. Notable attendees included Haji Amanullah Kubdani, Maula Bakhsh Alezai of the National Party, Wahid Bakhsh Sherzai, Nizam Lashari, Babu Razzaq Sasoli, and Muhammad Anwar from the BNP.
During the forum, RDMC’s team provided attendees with important updates and insights on various community development initiatives, with a particular focus on the skills development program run in collaboration with The Hunar Foundation and the Mother & Child Health Center managed by the Indus Hospital Network.

RDMC’s Community Engagement Manager Ali Dost Yallanzai, Community Investment Lead Essa Tahir Sanjrani, HR Lead Inayat Kubdani, and Community Engagement Lead Noor Khan Mengal addressed a range of queries from community members.
A question regarding the publication of employee lists was addressed by explaining that, in line with international HR best practices, RDMC is committed to protecting employees’ privacy and safety and, as such, cannot disclose personal information about specific employees publicly.
Regarding local hiring, it was highlighted that as of January 2025, 78 percent of RDMC’s workforce is from Balochistan, with over 50 percent from Chagai, the majority of whom are from Nokkundi.

The forum also featured presentations from Qazi Taimoor Sanjrani, Program Manager at The Hunar Foundation, and Sher Jan Baloch, Operations Manager at Indus Hospital. These presentations highlighted the significant contributions made by both organizations, particularly regarding their local workforce.
The community was informed that, as RDMC partners, both The Hunar Foundation and Indus Hospital prioritize local hiring. Over 95 percent of their employees are from Balochistan, with the majority coming from Chagai district.
The community expressed their gratitude and appreciation for RDMC’s commitment to transparency and engagement through the organization of this open forum.