PM sees public service as only path to power

Inaugurates 487-kilometre-long road linking Gwadar with Quetta

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the corridors of power could only be accessed by serving the masses and focusing on development in a sharp rebuke to his political opponents who he said were creating hurdles in the way of development.

“Only a serious commander with a vision can lead the nation. And people in the 2018 elections will give their decision in favour of those who have taken steps for the development of the country, their welfare and resolving their problems,” Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.



The premier was speaking in Turbat at the inauguration ceremony of a 487-kilometre long road that links the port city of Gwadar with Quetta via Sohrab.



Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, former chief minister Dr Malik Baloch, Commander Sothern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, provincial cabinet and senior civil and military officials were attending the ceremony.

Without taking any names, Nawaz criticised opposition parties and said they were creating hurdles in the way of development work undertaken by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

“Now people of the country should decide who is playing with their emotions and who is serving them. The government has chosen the path of serving the masses and whosoever wants to reach the power echelons should also adopt seriousness and sobriety,” he added.

The PM 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.

Referring to development work in Balochistan, Nawaz said his government was giving all attention to remove poverty and sense of deprivation of the Baloch people through development in the province.

He said various development projects had been launched in Balochistan. “After completion of these projects, the dream of Balochistan’s prosperity will be realised,” he said.



The PM said the future of Pakistan is linked with the development of Balochistan and that his government is making all out efforts to develop Balochistan.  “A developed Balochistan means a new Pakistan,” he said, adding: “A new Pakistan is in the making.”

Nawaz claimed that no government had launched such big development projects in Balochistan in the past. “Development of Balochistan is not a favour, it is the right of the Baloch people and we are giving them their due rights,” he said.

Talking with reference to the road network in Balochistan, PM Nawaz said the roads will connect Gwadar port through Khunjerab border to China and will ensure economic activity, while reducing poverty and unemployment in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2016.