PM urges provincial govt to take charge of development

PM underlines the importance of continuity of the democratic system saying that the elections will be held on time

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said that the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port would soon turn Balochistan province into a trade and energy hub.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating expansion and renovation of Quetta international airport, the PM said that the progress and development of Balochistan province was linked with development in the rest of the country.

He said that peace in Balochistan had been restored and urged the provincial government and political leadership in the province to work together for development and progress of the province.



“Western corridor and the Gwadar seaport would provide an easy access to the Central Asian countries and China… easy access with immense opportunities of connectivity through a huge maze of motorways and highways,” he added.

Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Anusha Rehman were also present during the ceremony.

The PM assured federal government's support but said the provincial leadership should take the lead for progress and development in the province by concentrating on the availability of huge natural resources and connectivity potentials.



He said that the work on Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project was being fast-tracked whereas efforts were also being made for the rail, road and IT connectivity.

With regard to the expansion of the airport at a cost of about Rs2 billion, the prime minister said it was the longstanding demand of the province which was met by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Abbasi said the international airport would cater to the requirements of the passengers with provision of allied facilities. “Even the Boeing 777 aircraft could land on the Quetta airport and it would serve in the development of Balochistan,” he added.

The PM said when the PML-N government took charge of the government, it had decided to expand and renovate all the airports of the country. He referred to the completion of Islamabad International Airport where the construction work had hit snags during the last 12 years.

Moreover, the Multan and Peshawar airports were also renovated and expanded, he said, adding that expansion work of Sialkot airport was carried out by the private sector from where now regular flights were being operated. The Karachi airport was also being modernised by the government, he added.

Abbasi said it was only the PML-N government which not only initiated different uplift projects throughout the country but also completed them. He expressed the hope that the upcoming governments would carry forward those development projects.



The PM also underlined the importance of continuity in the democratic system and said that the general election would be held on July 25 in which people would give their verdict.

"The country cannot achieve progress without a democratic system," he said, emphasising that only an elected government had the capacity to deliver.

Meanwhile, the Quetta airport now has the state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridges, check-in counters, baggage handling system, modern immigration system and two arrival and departure terminals equipped with the latest facilities.

The numbers of domestic check-in counters have been enhanced from 5 to 12 whereas the airport would have now 12 international counters as well. The passengers' capacity in the international and domestic departure lounge has been increased by 3%.