Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the dream of Balochistan's prosperity was being realised with completion of several development projects, ensuring "a New Pakistan in the making". "A new and developed Balochistan means a new Pakistan, with an unprecedented progress never took place in history," the Prime Minister said in his address at the inauguration of a 448-kilometre-long Sorab-Hoshab road, an important segment of western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Prime Minister said the journey of progress and development was continuing on full pace in every nook and corner of the country. He said that billions of rupees were being spent on development of Balochistan and the government was in particular focusing on its development to mitigate the sense of deprivation of Baloch people.
Nawaz Sharif said road network in Balochistan would connect Gwadar port up to Khunjerab border with China and would ensure economic activity, reduce poverty and unemployment in the province. "With completion of every new road in Balochistan comes another ray of hope of a promising future for the people of province," he said, adding that a strong communication network would pave way for building of schools, universities and hospitals.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government had chosen the path of serving masses and whosoever wanted to reach the power echelons, should also adopt seriousness and sobriety. "Only a serious command with a vision can lead the nation," he said adding that public in 2018 election would give their decision in favour of those who took steps for their welfare.
He regretted the attitude of some politicians who were constantly involved in mud-slinging and said such people were bringing negativity to the society. "Pakistanis are a cultured nation with great moral traditions. Those who ruin these norms, are responsible for spoiling generations and history calls them a 'disgrace of ancestors'," he said. Nawaz Sharif said during his present tenure, the country had experienced a visible change in terms of strong economy, improved law and order and reduced load-shedding of electricity," he said.
Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Khan Zehri expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for giving priority to the people of Balochistan and supporting the launch of several development projects. He said different areas of Balochistan were being connected with road networks and the dream of progress and prosperity for the province was being realised. He said uplift of Balochistan was in the manifesto of Pakistan Muslim League-N.
Director General Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal said the Sorab-Hoshab road project had been materialised with the unity and will power of the federal and Balochistan government, FWO, National Highway Authority and local administration. About the project's salient features, the DG FWO said initially it was started in September 2007, but was stopped due to lack of funds owing to deteriorating law and order situation.
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in January 2014 gave a go-ahead to restart the road under the guidance of FWO, NHA and NESPAK. He said the deadline was reduced from five years and six months to two years and three months. The DG FWO paid tribute to 32 Jawans who laid their lives during construction of this road.
He said the road was an important segment of CPEC and would bring prosperity to the area, and added that Sorab-Panjgur-Baseema road had been named as Hoshab-Sikandrabad Road. Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Amir Riaz, former Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and parliamentarians attended the event.
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