Siraj Baloch

As world leaders and policy experts gather for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) and the IAEA General Conference this September, international diplomacy will follow a familiar routine. At the highest levels, one can only talk about traditional ways of balancing power, border deals, and state-to-state relations. But beyond these official diplomatic channels, another, more pressing crisis is affecting people’s daily lives around the world.

Pakistan has been developing advanced capabilities in peaceful nuclear technology over decades. However, surprisingly little policy attention has focused on one institutional question: to what extent are these federally concentrated scientific capabilities integrated into provincial development planning? This matters because the fields where development benefits can be derived from peaceful nuclear applications increasingly overlap with provincial responsibilities.

The 20th century was defined by oil. The 21st century may well be defined by critical minerals. Now the issue is not only whether Balochistan has strategically important mineral resources, but also whether Pakistan does. The crucial point is whether these mineral riches can be converted to prosperity for its citizens—or whether this will turn into another flashpoint of geopolitical rivalry, local Grievances, and instability.