Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan: PM Shehbaz

Premier says only one province's progress cannot be counted as the country's progress

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan continued to seek good relations with Afghanistan but urged the Afghan interim government not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism against Pakistan.

"We share a 2,000-kilometre border with Afghanistan. We are neighbours and have to live together, but we continue to urge the Afghan interim government not to allow its soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan," he said.

Addressing participants at the Balochistan National Workshop in Islamabad, the prime minister also said Balochistan's vast geography and scattered population posed development challenges unlike those faced by other provinces, stressing that Pakistan could only prosper if all four provinces progressed together.

He welcomed attendees from across the province, saying they represented not only Balochistan but Pakistan. "You are all representing Pakistan here," he said.

PM Shehbaz said Balochistan had played an important role in Pakistan's creation, recalling that the province's political and tribal leadership had voluntarily joined the federation after independence.

"In 1947, the leadership of Balochistan accepted Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's leadership and became part of Pakistan. The loyal leadership of Balochistan put aside personal interests and egos and overwhelmingly supported the federation."

Describing Balochistan as Pakistan's largest province by area but its smallest by population, the prime minister acknowledged that its geography presented unique development challenges.

"The distances between cities are vast, settlements are scattered, and the problems are different from those faced by other provinces," he said.

PM Shehbaz said the federation had recognised those challenges through the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, adding that Punjab had voluntarily supported a larger financial share for Balochistan.

"This was not a favour; it was an act of brotherhood. When a family has four members, they support one another," he said, adding that Punjab had contributed around Rs150 billion to Balochistan over the years and continued to do so.

Highlighting development initiatives, the prime minister said successive governments, including those led by Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), had expanded funding for the province.

He said the federal government had contributed around Rs50 billion towards a Rs75 billion project to convert around 27,000 agricultural tube wells to solar power, addressing persistent electricity shortages affecting farmers.

Read: District judge, security guard killed in gun attack in Balochistan's Mastung

PM Shehbaz also referred to the Karachi-Chaman highway (N-25), often known as the "bloody road" because of its high accident rate.

"People lose their lives on this road almost every day," he said.

The prime minister said the government had allocated savings from lower international oil prices last year to finance the project.

"We decided to build the Karachi-Chaman Expressway at a cost of around Rs300 billion. When it is completed within two years, it will no longer be known as the 'bloody road' but as the 'road of progress'."

The premier said no province could prosper in isolation.

"Pakistan will succeed only when all four provinces succeed. If only one province progresses, that cannot be called Pakistan's progress."

Turning to security, the prime minister expressed sorrow over Thursday's attack in Mastung in which District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard were killed.

"May Allah grant the martyred judge the highest place in Jannah," he said, adding that sacrifices for Pakistan's security had been made not only by civilians but also by members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

He said more than 90,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives in the fight against terrorism, adding that India had been involved in supporting terrorist groups.

He noted that terrorism had largely been brought under control by 2016 and 2017, but questioned how it had resurged.

"We all need to reflect on how this conspiracy was allowed to take root again."

Read More: Security forces kill 10 terrorists, arrest two female suicide bombers in Balochistan

The prime minister said Pakistan had recently achieved significant successes, including Marka-e-Haq, and had earned international respect for its diplomatic efforts.

"Our enemies cannot tolerate Pakistan's success," he said.

Concluding his address, PM Shehbaz urged Pakistanis to work together to transform opportunities into lasting development, adding that prosperity could only be achieved when all four provinces moved forward together.

President Zardari calls for faster development in Balochistan

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday called for accelerating development in Balochistan, stressing that providing basic facilities to the province's residents and promoting its overall development remained among the government's top priorities.

The president made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Balochistan provincial ministers at Bilawal House in Karachi, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.

The meeting reviewed the law and order situation in the province, progress on development projects, and Balochistan's overall situation.

President Zardari directed the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of ongoing development projects in the province.

He also emphasised the need for all relevant institutions to work in a coordinated manner to improve law and order, promote public welfare, and boost economic activity across Balochistan.