Zardari vows development for Balochistan

Sarfraz Bugti joins PPP, expresses wishes to see peace restored to Balochistan under Zardari's leadership

TURBAT:

 

PPPP President Zardari on Monday vowed to initiate development projects in Balochistan after the entry of former interior minister Sarfraz Bugti into his party's ranks.

Senator Sarfaraz Bugti, who stepped down from the position a day earlier, officially joined the PPP, as election activities gain momentum leading up to the February 8 general elections.

The development comes as the PPP has been recently zooming around provinces hunting for its share of the political pie and voters to secure a sway over selectable.

Zardari stated that a PPP government, following the upcoming general elections, will prioritise developmental projects in education, healthcare, and infrastructure in Balochistan.

Additionally, the party aims to facilitate irrigation to enhance agricultural growth in the region.

He said that in terms of development projects, "Balochistan will be the first" now, and "there is a lot of scope for Balochistan to move forward".

According to a statement issued by the media cell Bilawal House Karachi, the former president, while addressing the party workers' convention here on Monday, said that Balochistan is the heart of Pakistan.

He urged that conflict does not bring prosperity, and added: "We will beautify Balochistan, Balochistan has many resources. I will take Balochistan 10 times ahead."

He said that during the party's previous government in the province, he provided funds but did not monitor the development projects. "Now I will supervise the development projects myself," he vowed.

The former President pointed out that previous PPP governments in Sindh had built lining canals, as a result of which sugarcane is being cultivated in many uninhabited areas of the province.

Zardari said that development in Balochistan will be done in cooperation with China, saying: "China will be our partner, we will work together with China."

He pointed out that Gwadar was already there, but no one except the PPP government paid attention to the expansion of that port.

"We have to improve the economic conditions, we have to give employment to the youth of Balochistan," he said, adding that the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) will be expanded, and educated unemployed youth will be given stipend till they get employment.

The former president said that individuals sitting in Islamabad do not understand Balochistan, they do not understand Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa either, adding that the PPP government formed after the upcoming general elections will build a university in every division of Balochistan, a college in every district and medical colleges and hospitals, keeping in mind the population.

The former president said that he had endured 14 years of imprisonment, during which he trained himself. Whenever PPP comes to power, it comes to serve the people, he said.He said that no nation can bear the burden of another, and added: "We gave hospitality to Afghans for 40 years, but today they are reluctant to be our brothers."

He urged that he want everyone to return to their homeland, and stay in their own homes. No other country can take care of them. “We will take care of our own," he concluded.

Bugti made the announcement as he attended the PPP's workers’ convention in Turbat, Balochistan. The convention was also attended by PPP stalwarts along with co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Addressing the convention, the former minister stated that he wished to see peace being restored in Balochistan under Zardari's leadership. He added that he would provide the people with better infrastructure, including health and education facilities.

Formally joining the PPP, Bugti urged the former president to build a modern hospital in Turbat, similar to the one the PPP built in Sukkur.

He said the PPP will prove to be the party that will transform the narrative against Pakistan.