PM Nawaz inaugurates Balochistan Development Forum

The development of Balochistan is close to my heart, says PM

BALOCHISTAN: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday morning inaugurated the Balochistan Development Forum, terming Balochistan as the main beneficiary in the Pakistan-China economic corridor, Radio Pakistan reported.


"The development of Balochistan is close to my heart and despite constraints we have provided substantial resources to support and supplement the efforts of the provincial government," PM Nawaz said, adding that "Rs 61 billion had been allocated in the current financial year which was 37 per cent higher than the 2013-2014 financial year."

Nawaz Sharif said the province was behind in socio-economic development due to neglect in the past however, the share of Balochistan had increased significantly from 5.11 percent 9.9 per cent in the seventh NFC award to ensure steady and predictable flow of resources to the province.

"The region bares huge potential for the development of agriculture and the coastal areas- Gwadar in particular- offer great opportunities for the socio-economic development of the province s well as the whole country," the prime minister said.

He lauded the efforts of the Balochistan government in making meaningful progress in the socio-economic uplift of its people over the past one and a half years.

He further announced that the federal government released 100 per cent funds to Balochistan for its development and non-development activities and assured people that the support of his government would continue to be extended to the people of Balochistan.

Commenting further on the development, the PM said that the federal government had also launched a project costing Rs 4 billion which was in collaboration with the provincial government for the construction of houses  for earthquake victims.

"A 300 mega-watt power plant is planned to be set up in Gwadar," the premier informed.

The premier mentioned only a few out of the 142 development projects which are set to be conducted in the province. He reiterated the support of his government for the province and its development.

Commenting on the terrorism the country has faced as a whole the premier said that the economy has made losses of over 100 billion on the account of terrorism.

"The government is determined to wipe out terrorism in all its shades and hues," PM Nawaz said adding that "a zero tolerance policy has been adopted against terrorists."

He made it clear that Pakistan would neither allow anyone to use its territory against any other country nor would it be tolerated if terrorists used foreign soil for their terrorist activities in Pakistan.

PM Nawaz assured that all measures would be taken to ensure that terrorism is wiped out in all forms and concluded that Balochistan would be the biggest beneficiary in the positive changes being made to address terrorism.