Political Economy of Resource Allocation in Balochistan: Assessing the Role of Government Policies and Bureaucratic Mechanisms

Abstract

Paper critically evaluates the political economy of resources distribution in Balochistan by using a balanced panel approach from 2008-09 to 2018-19. The study has been conducted to highlight the key causes of irregular distribution of development funds in Balochistan and find out their serious implications for people in general. To get the authentic and validated results, a rich dataset has been obtained from the various sources of Government of Balochistan, non-governmental organizations and federal agencies. The results of the study reveal that political groups and top-level bureaucracy influence resource allocations during the course of budget making process. Politicians and other top bureaucracies keep their own interests in mind and divert public resources to develop their own districts. The districts which are poor in socio-economic indicators, are supposed to be allocated more funds but they are ignored. The study has tried to answer the question that what factors are involved in the proper distribution of provincial funds and how to address the issue. However, the study reveals that there is a serious influential impact of senior ministers of cabinets who have always dominated the provincial development funds which ultimately result in the enhanced poverty ratio, and backwardness in other districts of Balochistan which lack proper and influential representatives.