No power on earth can stop Pakistan from supporting Kashmiris: PM reiterates

India equating Kashmir’s freedom fight with terrorism; Balochistan major beneficiary of CPEC project, Nawaz says

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated on Monday that no power in the world could stop Pakistan from supporting the struggle of Kashmiris, saying the country is committed to the cause, Radio Pakistan reported.

"India is mistaken if it considered that the freedom fight [in held Kashmir] could be equated with terrorism," he said while chairing a meeting of the PML-N's Central Working Committee (CWC).

More than 100 protesters have been killed in the restive Himalayan region at the hands of Indian forces following the killing of a populist rebel leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani. This situation in the valley has ratcheted up tensions between the two nuclear armed arch-rival nations, causing several skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC).



PM reiterated that the government is striving to overcome all challenges facing the country, including terrorism and energy shortage.

PM Nawaz went on to say that Balochistan will be the major beneficiary of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Motorways and highways worth Rs1 trillion are being constructed in the country, he added.

The prime minister further said that the ongoing security operation in Karachi since September 2013 was started with the consultation of all stakeholders which yielded positive results.

The government, he noted, is also working for the development of Thar, saying mining had started in the area and coal based power plants were being installed there. By year 2018, more than 10,000 megawatt of electricity will be added to the national grid, he added.



Land has also been acquired for Diamer Basha Dam, with Rs100 billion released for the purpose. The government is also working to develop the social sector, with hospitals planned for different cities in the next 18 months, Premier Nawaz said.

He vowed to compensate farmers for the losses suffered due to low price of agricultural goods in the international market, adding that subsidy is being given for installation of solar tube wells in Balochistan.