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Balochistan is just a step behind from Ethiopia. If appropriate measures were not taken, the great human disaster would take place.” This terrifying news was made public by a Britain based NGO, OXFAM which on especial invitation visited the drought hit areas of Balochistan. This was first ever-glaring acknowledgement of the world’s community about the sufferers of the fate - the people of Balochistan. Their plight got exposed to the national and world media. It also brought the situation of drought in the focus.

The echoing sound of Aranji, a village near Khuzdar, is still throbbing where due to famine or drought or both about more than 40 officially and unofficially about 70 to 100 people lost their lives. Firstly it was reported to be of a viral attack or to be some kind of mysterious disease, but later on confirmed by the official teams of health department and the Army teams that there was not any disease but poverty. The great social or economic reformers term poverty to be of the fatalist and the worst disease on the face of humanity. This disease is incurable in the developing countries in general but in the province Balochistan particularly. The strange and alien decisions and leadership have worsened the poverty level in Balochistan below than any other parts of Pakistan.

The distressed condition of the sufferers of Arnaji disappeared from the screen when it was revealed that out of 26 districts of Balochistan 23 are going to be the future Aranjies. And approximately 2 million people and 10 million livestock heads will be affected from the anticipated worst spell of drought which has been lasting for the last three to four years and will reportedly continue for another year or more. The most questionable and objectionable issue rises in the minds that why such an immense human suffering or catastrophe could not be anticipated in
time? And why it has always been reported to high ups all correct. The resent drought is multi dimensional in affects and severity. Because, as it has been admitted by officials, it is the worst drought for the last 75 years in this region. It enveloped more than two provinces of Pakistan along with many provinces in India and Afghanistan.

The severity of the drought can be judged by the government efforts that more than Rs. 1.5 billion grant, packages and relief operations are in progress but still a lot of apprehensions are there that such a huge amount
may become a meagre sum for the settlement. While the rehabilitation of the affected people is out of the sight yet. The appointing of a Relief Commissioner, establishing Governor’s relief fund as well as Chief Executive’s relief fund, declaring 22 districts of Balochistan calamity hit areas, massive operation for the provision of food supply and water and condoning the taqqavi loans of Rs 50,000 are the steps being taken by the federal and provincial governments. But still there is dire need of multi fold relief operations particularly carried out by Pakistan Army with the top most priority of saving the lives of people by Arial operations. The scattered population of Balochistan and its unestablished infrastructure facilities are considered to be the main hindrance in the execution of consolidated and well-organised operation plan. The conventional approach for relief operation will only worsen the already worst situation because the need of the hour is to put all the eggs in the basket to save the sufferers of the drought, which is now emerging into a famine. The rural economy of the people of Balochistan is mainly dependent upon livestock, which is the worst victim of the ongoing drought. Three million heads of livestock have been perished or about to perish. While, once the well to do families are now begging due to the reason that their entire
flocks perished, thus a wide spread poverty and impoverishment is grabbing the rural areas of Balochistan which may emerge into a worst law and order situation in the coming days.

The rising issue of drought is not so sudden as it appeared into the media. But it is said to be continued for the last three or four years. But why this issue was not addressed properly with required attention and seriousness, no one knows. The present government cannot be held responsible for the drought and its disasters. But, it is always expected from the present government that the process of healing will be more or less or equal to the disaster. It is gravely excepted that those will feel the miseries of the people with both ears on the ground that can lessen the sufferings of the people.

The situation emerging in the different parts of Balochistan is just beginning of the situation, which is to come ahead. But our routine activities and customary approach answer dullness to the required situation. Today a system based on prompt action is highly needed to be devised. Instead of following the process of red tap-ism, a system of quick decision making should be introduced.

This alarming situation of drought needs tri-phased plan to be replied to. In the first step temporary camps be settled near the main cities where all the affected people be brought along with their remaining livestock. This
kind of operation is needed to be headed or carried out by Pakistan Army. This operation will lessen the death toll and rationalise the relief operation under controlled discipline. In the second phase all the people dwelling in the camps be given cost free fodder and Qaraz-e-Hasana to repurchase livestock and to meet their requirements of live by their own because the affected people will be stationed in the camps for not less than three or four months. This kind of relief package will be comparable to their ego, which is needed to be protected. This step will not create a sense of beggary among the self-respected people of Balochistan. They will be earning their livelihood
instead of sitting ideal and waiting for the donor’s breads and butter. In the third phase the issue of drought can be addressed by constructing dams, check dams, plantation, deeper boring of the dried up wells to reactivate them, purging our of the karrezes, establishing of rang lands and precautionary measures for any impending drought in the coming days.

The drought of Balochistan is test case for the politicians of Balochistan too. Because by lip service, they are to be very loyal and caring for the people of Balochistan. But in this time of need, they will have to prove it to be the true and real lovers of the poop1e of Balochistan by sharing their sufferings not by verbose announcements and issuing press releases but they will take corporeal steps. Because action talks louder than words