Empowering young girls in Balochistan

Saiba Asghar Ali, an eighth-grade student at the China-Pakistan Government Middle School in Faqeer Colony, Balochistan, has aspired to become a doctor since childhood. However, financial struggles and limited educational opportunities for girls in her region made this dream seem unattainable.

“There wasn’t a proper school in my area, and many girls, including me, were confined to their homes,” she explains. “Without China’s support for my education, I might never have had the chance to go to school.”

As the eighth of her parents’ children, Asghar Ali faced financial constraints that made it impossible for her family to send their daughters to school. The establishment of a school, funded by Chinese donations in 2015, gave her and her sisters access to education.

“There are very few female doctors in our city,” the 14-year-old says. “I study hard because I want to help my community and improve their lives, just as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has transformed mine.”

Launched in 2013 as a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor links Gwadar Port in Balochistan with Kashgar in Xinjiang, focusing initially on energy, transportation, and industry, and later expanding to agriculture and other sectors.

Initially offering primary education, the 1,600-square-meter school expanded to include middle school after parents and teachers advocated for it. It now boasts two teaching buildings and additional facilities, providing quality education to its 550 students.

The school stands out for its modern amenities, including a computer lab and new furniture, making it a preferred choice for families in the area.

Headmistress Parveen Nawaz highlights the transformative impact of the school, noting that before 2015, the 20,000-strong community had no schools. Most children played in the streets, as families couldn’t afford to send them to schools outside the colony.

“China’s generous support has greatly enhanced education in this area, changing the lives of countless children,” Nawaz says, emphasizing the direct benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative for Gwadar residents.

She adds that these children now have opportunities that were once unimaginable due to poverty, giving them a chance to turn their dreams into reality.

Moreover, several teachers from the school have received scholarships to study in China, improving the overall quality of education.

Tahira Akhtar, another eighth-grade student and the school’s student body general secretary, recalls her concern when she finished primary school three years ago. Without a middle school option, she feared her education might end.

“I was overjoyed when the school expanded. It allowed me to continue my studies,” she says.

Akhtar expresses gratitude for China’s support, noting that her generation has directly benefited from the corridor project. “We are committed to strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and China,” she adds.

The school has become a symbol of hope for Asghar Ali, Akhtar, and other girls in Faqeer Colony, offering them the chance to follow their dreams. With ongoing improvements and expansions, it serves as a lifeline for students determined to overcome poverty and lack of education.