KOHLU: Residents of Kahan Valley in Kohlu district have called on the Balochistan government to address what they describe as decades of neglect, citing the lack of healthcare, education, road infrastructure and mobile network coverage in the region.

Kahan Valley, located approximately 105 kilometres from Kohlu, 40 kilometres from Dera Bugti and 130 kilometres from Sibi, is home to an estimated population of around 150,000 people. Residents say they continue to face severe hardships due to the absence of basic public services.

According to local residents, the lack of mobile network coverage leaves many families unable to communicate with relatives or seek emergency assistance when needed.

Healthcare remains another major concern. Residents told *Balochistan Dispatch* that patients often have to travel long distances to Kohlu or other urban centres for treatment. They claim that inadequate medical facilities and poor road conditions have contributed to preventable deaths during medical emergencies.

Education is also a pressing issue. Community members allege that dozens of government schools in the valley remain closed, depriving hundreds of children of access to education.

Among the educational institutions reportedly closed are Government High School Kahan, Government Boys Middle School Habib Langhani, and numerous government primary schools in villages including Basti Mouladad, Daman, Saida Kachar, Sukhari Zareen, Habib Sherani, Kashi, Karpasi, Killi Salaman, Reekh, Jatki, Manak Band, Chapi Kach, Doi Wadh, Katki Daf, Sehroz, Sehreen Kahor, Siah Ban and Wali Kach.

Residents have appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, local elected representatives and relevant government departments to take urgent action to improve living conditions in the valley.

They have demanded the reopening of closed schools, establishment of healthcare facilities, rehabilitation of roads and provision of mobile network services, arguing that the people of Kahan deserve the same access to public services as citizens in other parts of the province.

No official response from the provincial government was available at the time of publication.