Once hit by terror, Balochistan becoming 'economic tiger of Pakistan': Nawaz

Premier says Gwadar is being linked with China through roads links

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said Balochistan is fast becoming a centre of development for the rest of the country.

"Once hit by terrorism, this province is now witnessing development to change the fate of the country and itself," the premier said while addressing a public gathering in Gwadar on Thursday.

"Pakistan will soon become an Asian tiger while Balochistan will prove to be the country's economic tiger soon," he added.

Countries cannot prosper without education, health and trade and these cannot take place without building infrastructure and roads, Nawaz said in a thinly veiled jibe at his political rivals.



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has been calling for purging the country of corruption and a scrutiny of the Sharif family's alleged offshore accounts exposed by Panama Papers leaks.

Nawaz announced to allocate Rs1billion to build a university, a state of the art 300-bed hospital and an exemplary university for the people of Gwadar. "500 acres of land has been acquired to build the university," he added.

Gwadar, he added, is being linked with China through 100-kilometre of road links and highways. "The city will be turned into a model port," PM remarked. He said that roads links are also being established in the areas of the province hit by terrorism. "Roads are also being built and improved in the rest of the country."

"We will provide five million gallons of clean drinking water to Gwadar while Rs1billion will be spent to improve the sewerage system in the city." Rs5billion have been allocated to set up desalination plants in the city, he added.



"No one paid attention to Gwadar during 1993 and 1997," the premier said. He added that the incumbent government was now initiating projects that the city deserved.

The people of the province, he added, will be provided with free health cards which will enable them to avail free of cost treatment across the country.

"Moreover, 50 outstanding students of the city will get admissions in prestigious varsities of the country." Nawaz also announced to send 50 students to China to learn Chinese language.

Nawaz reiterated that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar will prove a game changer for Pakistan.