News Detail

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri warmly welcomed the Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan and held a detailed discussion on key issues including peace in Balochistan, human rights, interfaith harmony, and economic opportunities through mining and development.

The discussion commenced with an exchange of condolences and expressions of concern over the recent terrorist attack, which has inflicted profound distress on the people of the province as well as the country. The participants underscored the importance of adopting a comprehensive strategy that integrates security measures with dialogue, political engagement, socio-economic empowerment, and interfaith harmony to address the root causes of unrest.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri highlighted challenges faced in Balochistan, including limited communication facilities, restricted job opportunities, and the need for stronger governance mechanisms to reduce public frustration. She stressed that long-term stability requires not only security but also investment in human development, particularly in education, health, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of interfaith understanding to strengthen social cohesion.

The Australian High Commissioner shared observations from recent visits to Balochistan, noting that interactions with students, particularly young women, reflected the region’s strong potential for progress. He emphasized the need to equip universities with specialized training in mining and related sectors to generate meaningful employment opportunities for local communities, while also highlighting the role of interfaith dialogue in building inclusive and tolerant societies.

The discussion also covered labor rights, particularly concerning coal miners, with Senator Zehri pointing out gaps in inspection mechanisms, worker benefits, and departmental resources. She underlined the urgent need to ensure safety, proper regulation, and welfare measures for miners and their families.

Human rights and women’s protection remained central to the dialogue. Senator Zehri highlighted pressing issues such as early marriages, honor-based violence, and the need for mental health support for women before and after childbirth. The High Commissioner reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting human rights initiatives, including advocacy for mental health awareness, the reduction of crimes subject to the death penalty, and the promotion of tolerance through interfaith dialogue.

Concluding the discussion, it was mutually affirmed that peace and stability in Balochistan are contingent upon inclusive development, expanded economic opportunity, interfaith harmony, and the protection of fundamental rights. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to strengthening cooperation in pursuit of these shared objectives.