QUETTA: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the government would allocate Rs1,000 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year and 25 percent (Rs250 billion) from the fund would be for projects in Balochistan.
Addressing a grand jirga of Balochistan here, he said all the provinces were like brothers and would equally share resources of the country.
He said the issues faced by the people of Balochistan would be resolved amicably.
The federal government was spending Rs70 billion on the solarisation project in Balochistan, he said, adding that Rs150 billion would be diverted for the building of highway N25 in Balochistan. These funds would be acquired from the amount which the government was collecting after lowering of petroleum products prices in the international market.
He said federal funds were the right of people of Balochistan and every penny would be spent transparently on the progress and prosperity of the province. As chief minister of Punjab, he said, he allocated 10 percent quota for the students of Balochistan in different schemes of Punjab, including laptop schemes and scholarships in the foreign and provincial educational institutions. In the past, Rs2 billion were allocated for a heart hospital in Balochistan, he continued.
He recalled that Punjab had agreed to give part of its funds from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to Balochistan in view of its development needs as the province had a larger area. In today’s value, the funds diverted to Balochistan amounted to Rs160 billion, he explained. Talking about incidents of terrorism in Balochistan, he said terrorists were blood thirsty and were against the progress of Pakistan and were undertaking heinous acts at the behest of foreign elements. He said terrorists in Balochistan were foreign agents who had resorted to barbarity but they would not be tolerated by the government and armed forces of Pakistan. He assured that social and economic justice would be delivered to the people of Balochistan. Referring to the latest incidents in Sorab, he said the country could not make progress without peace. Talking about conflict with India, he said as prime minister he was witness to all the events of the short duration war, adding that as a brave and sagacious leader Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir led Pakistan armed forces to a victory against India and made the nation proud and the success was akin to avenging the events of 1971. He said now the enemy was scared and the friendly countries were more confident after success of Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, acting Governor Balochistan Governor Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and high ranking military and civil officials attended the event.
Separately, addressing officers at the Command and Staff College here, the prime minister stressed that the threats faced by Pakistan were no longer confined to conventional warfare and highlighted the need for preparedness across multiple domains.
Joined by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Attaullah Tarar, Balochistan Corps Commander Lt Gen Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan and ISPR DG Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the prime minister outlined a comprehensive vision for national resilience.
“Pakistan’s threats are no longer limited to traditional warfare,” the prime minister said. “Our military, political and economic institutions must be equally prepared to face hybrid challenges, from border security to economic sabotage.”
He paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces for their valour and professionalism, citing the response to recent Indian aggression as an example of national strength. “While India targeted innocent civilians, our Air Force responded with precision, striking seven high-value targets,” he said, adding that the incident proved Pakistan’s operational readiness on land and in the air. The prime minister strongly criticised India’s propaganda and its attempt to weaponise events like the Pahalgam attack. He emphasized that Pakistan responded firmly, diplomatically and militarily. “India tried to make water a weapon, but we have drawn a red line. Pakistan will never allow its water rights to be violated,” he added. He praised the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar for their strategic foresight, asserting that Pakistan’s armed forces and people stand united against any aggression. “The recent tensions have only boosted the morale of our nation and forces,” he remarked.
He noted that when he assumed office for a 16-month tenure, the country was facing severe challenges, but none were insurmountable. “Our focus remains on the economy, reforms and counterterrorism,” he said.
