Free, fair elections my top priority: PM Ashraf

Ashraf says that despite having limited time, he has set priorities to focus on.

Holding free‚ fair and transparent elections is my top priority, said Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday.

Speaking to Pakistan Television (PTV), Ashraf said that despite having limited time, he has set priorities to focus on including security‚ war on terror‚ Balochistan and the economic squeeze.

“Energy crisis is on the top of my agenda and I want to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the people,” he added.

Talking about the various power projects government is working on, Ashraf said projects like Neelum-Jhelum project‚ Kohala project‚ Diamer-Bhasha dam‚ Bunji dam‚ Dassu dam and Thar coal exploitation will help us provide power to the people on affordable rates.

“The problem of load shedding arose because new power projects were not initiated in the past but the present government has added around 3300 MW to the national grid,” Ashraf said.

Balochistan

Stating that around 99% people of Balochistan are peace-loving and patriotic, the prime minister said the people of that province take pride in their Pakistani identity.

He further said that Balochistan's share in federal divisible pool went up from just Rs40 billion to Rs140 billion which in result can provide resources for uplift of the people.

“Funds for the construction of Ratto-Dero highway have been released; the highway will Gwadar to Karachi,” he said.