QUETTA: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the issues faced by the people of south-western Balochistan province would be resolved amicably and funds would be made available for the development and progress of the largest province of the country.
Addressing a gathering of local leaders, he said all provinces were like brothers and would equally share the resources of the country.
The Prime Minister announced that the federal government is investing Rs 70 billion in a solarization project in Balochistan, while an additional Rs 150 billion will be allocated for the construction of the N-25 highway in the province. He noted that these funds will come from the revenue generated due to the recent decline in international petroleum prices.
He further stated that the government has set aside Rs 1,000 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year, with 25 percent—equivalent to Rs 250 billion—specifically earmarked for development projects in Balochistan.
Emphasizing that federal funds are the rightful share of the people of Balochistan, the Prime Minister assured that every rupee would be spent transparently to ensure the province’s progress and prosperity.
Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, he highlighted that a 10 percent quota was reserved for Balochistan students in various initiatives, including the laptop distribution program and scholarship schemes for both domestic and international educational institutions.
Addressing the issue of terrorism in Balochistan, the Prime Minister condemned the recent attacks, stating that terrorists are bloodthirsty and opposed to Pakistan’s progress, acting on behalf of foreign elements. He described them as foreign agents engaged in brutal acts, and firmly declared that neither the government nor the armed forces would tolerate their actions.
He pledged that the people of Balochistan would receive both social and economic justice, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their well-being.
Referring to the recent incidents in Sorab, he stressed that lasting peace is essential for national development.
Commenting on tensions with India, the Prime Minister said that on the nights of May 6–7 and again on May 10, India launched attacks against Pakistan. However, with the grace of Allah, the armed forces responded with courage and decisively defeated the aggressors—leaving them with a failure they will not forget.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan for their unity and unwavering support for the armed forces during the conflict.
