The economy of Balochistan, one of the four provinces of Pakistan, is largely based upon the production of natural gas, coal, and minerals.
Limited farming in the east as well as fishing along the southern Arabian Sea coastline are other forms of income and sustenance for the local populations.
Due to the tribal lifestyle of many Pashtun, Baloch and Brahui people, animal husbandry is important, as are trading bazaars found throughout the province.
[1] Though the province remains largely underdeveloped, there are currently several major development projects in progress in Balochistan, including the construction of a new deep sea port at the strategically important town of Gwadar.
One of the world's largest copper deposits (and its matrix-associated residual gold) have been found at Reko Diq in the Chagai District of Balochistan.
[citation needed] BHP Billiton, the world's largest copper mining company, began the project in cooperation with the Australian firm Tethyan, entering into a joint venture with the Balochistan government.
[13] Overall spending in infrastructure construction, energy expansion, and routes development would unshackle bottle necks to drive connectivity, trade and growth.