PM says Pakistan is a 'shared home'

Urges Balochistan to participate in economic growth

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday stressed upon fostering affection, unity and brotherhood among all segments of society living in different provinces, coupled with sacrifices and hard work to overcome all the challenges.

Addressing participants of 'Balochistan Workshop' he said that problems did exist but Pakistan was like a shared home to everyone. It was their onus to remove the differences and distances and move together on the path of progress and peace, with affection, unity and sacrifices.

The prime minister said that Balochistan had its own history, culture and blessed with immense natural resources worth trillions of dollars.

These huge national resources of wealth were still buried under heavy mountains and unfortunately, what happened in the last few years, it was a matter of self-introspection, he added.

The prime minister informed that a road that ran from Karahi to Chaman, was locally called a 'bloody road' by the residents of the province due to frequent traffic collisions and casualties.

To convert this bloody road into a peaceful avenue, he said, Rs350 billion amount was estimated, adding the petrol prices were announced every fortnightly, and at one occasion, when the prices were declined, they had decided to divert this amount of up to Rs180 billion rupees annually, for the construction of this road.

Moreover, different challenges etched in history and to meet them, 'the people of Balochistan should act like active participants and beneficiaries of the national economic trajectory and growth,' he stressed.

"These challenges needed to be discussed and addressed, as these will not only benefit the people of Pakistan but the people living in the province," he opined.

Dinner

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here hosted dinner in honour of cricket teams of South Africa and Pakistan.

The Prime Minister met and talked with players of both cricket teams. While welcoming South African cricket team to Pakistan, he said, "We have excellent relations with South Africa at various levels and cricket is one of them."

"The ongoing cricket series is a symbol of the strong sporting ties and mutual respect between Pakistan and South Africa. South Africa has produced great cricketers," he said adding, "Pakistan's cricketers have made the country and nation famous worldwide with their excellent play."

He expressed hope that the Pakistan cricket team will display a brilliant game as it did in the past.The Prime Minister expressed his best wishes for the players of both teams.

He said he has full confidence in the abilities of Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi."Cricket is not just a game but it also connects people of different countries," he said adding, "The game of cricket promotes brotherhood and peace. The true spirit of this game needs to be maintained."