PM vows equitable development of Balochistan, calls for dialogue over violence

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated on Friday that the federal government is committed to ensuring Balochistan’s equitable development and prosperity, emphasizing that the province’s legitimate grievances should be addressed through dialogue and mutual consultation rather than violence.

Addressing a question-and-answer session with participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister said Balochistan was endowed with vast mineral and natural resources, but their development required investment, expertise, resources and collaboration between the province and the federation.

He stated that the natural resources of Balochistan primarily belong to its people and should be developed in a manner that enables them to benefit first, followed by the rest of the people of Pakistan.

The prime minister said Balochistan’s vast geographical area and the long distances between its population centres presented genuine challenges in providing roads, education, healthcare and other facilities, requiring a fair distribution of available resources.

He recalled Balochistan’s historic decision to join Pakistan, saying the province’s accession was based on conviction and voluntary choice. He said the historical record also carried lessons about resolving differences through mutual consultation and dialogue.

PM Shehbaz said it was “never too late” to address outstanding issues and called for a grand, frank and meaningful dialogue in which all legitimate concerns could be brought to the table.

He categorically rejected violence and the targeting of innocent people in the name of grievances, saying workers, teachers, engineers and other people contributing to Balochistan’s development could not be made victims of terrorism.

Referring specifically to the Karachi-Chaman N-25 project, the prime minister said the federal government had allocated Rs415 billion to transform the road, described as a “khooni sarak”, into a road of peace and development.

He said the decision had been taken after consultation with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the federal government had retained the provincial share from the reduction in petroleum prices to finance the project.

The prime minister said work on the project had already commenced, but warned that terrorism remained a major impediment to infrastructure development.

“If Rs200 billion or Rs300 billion are provided, but terrorists continue killing people day and night, not even an inch of road can be constructed,” he said, stressing that development and security must move forward together.

PM Shehbaz said the state regarded all four provinces as equal parts of one country and had a responsibility to provide its citizens with security, education, healthcare and opportunities for prosperity.

He said Balochistan’s mineral wealth could not remain merely a figure on paper and called for collective efforts to bring its resources to the surface and develop them for the benefit of the people.

The prime minister also highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar Port, saying its deep draft enabled it to accommodate vessels carrying up to 100,000 tonnes.

He recalled that the new airport at Gwadar had been gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and said he had taken steps during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government to increase utilisation of Gwadar Port.

He said he had directed that 60 percent of the federal government’s imports of essential goods and machinery should be routed through Gwadar Port.

PM Shehbaz said his commitment to Gwadar and Balochistan stemmed from the belief that Pakistan’s development could not be complete unless all four provinces progress together.

He said Balochistan’s share in federal schemes had also been kept 10 percent higher than its population-based share, describing it as an expression of national solidarity rather than a favour.

Recalling the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award discussions, the prime minister said all four provinces had agreed to enhance Balochistan’s share from the federation to address its financial difficulties.

He recalled that, as the chief minister of Punjab at the time, he supported the arrangement, with Punjab contributing Rs 11 billion annually. He added that the Punjab Assembly had also endorsed the decision with applause, reflecting the true spirit of brotherhood among the provinces.

PM Shehbaz said he had followed the same principle in education initiatives, including scholarships, laptops, Danish Schools and other programmes, under which Balochistan’s participation had been kept 10 percent higher than its population-based share.

He said the federal and provincial governments should work together to unlock Balochistan’s economic potential and ensure that its people became equal partners in the country’s development.

The prime minister also highlighted the government’s solarisation programme for agricultural tubewells in Balochistan. He said around Rs70 billion had been estimated for replacing approximately 20,000 to 22,000 tubewells with solar-powered systems, with the federal government contributing Rs40 billion.

He said around 20,000 solar tubewells had already been installed, describing the project as an important step towards addressing farmers’ energy and irrigation problems.

PM Shehbaz stressed that the benefits of development projects could only be sustained if their security was ensured by all stakeholders.

He urged Balochistan’s political leadership, civil society and other stakeholders to take responsibility for protecting development projects and ensuring that resources allocated for public welfare were utilised effectively.

The prime minister said Pakistan’s future depended on collective efforts based on trust, honesty, hard work and national unity.

He said the country could witness a major transformation in prosperity within a few years if people from all provinces worked together with determination and conviction.

“Pakistan’s development will only be complete when all four provinces move forward together,” he said.

Concluding his address, PM Shehbaz reiterated his commitment to devoting maximum available resources to Balochistan’s development, while calling for a shared responsibility for maintaining security.

He said the federal government was ready to listen to Balochistan’s legitimate complaints repeatedly and work towards their resolution through dialogue.

The prime minister also paid tribute to the security personnel who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, saying their sacrifices had protected millions of Pakistanis.

He said the nation should never forget those who had laid down their lives to protect the country and its people.

The prime minister concluded by expressing hope that Balochistan would witness an era of peace, development and prosperity and raised the slogans of “Pakistan Paindabad” and “Balochistan Paindabad.”