PM vows to provide Balochistan govt assistance in implementing NAP

Premier chairs provincial apex committee meeting at Balochistan Governor House; General Raheel attends

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured on Wednesday that the federal government would assist the Balochistan government in effectively implementing the National Action Plan (NAP).

Chairing a provincial apex committee meeting at Balochistan Governor House, the premier said NAP is a product of the consensus of all political parties.

"The passing of 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill 2015 and Pakistan Army Act 1952  (Amendment) Bill 2015 was a result of this consensus," PM Nawaz added.

PM Nawaz, addressing the top political and military brass later during the day, asserted terrorism will ultimately be eliminated from the country. "We want to steer Pakistan out of the current crisis," he said.

"The military and political leadership of the nation are on the same page and the solution to our problems lies in unity," the premier said.

The premier also said the provinces should work at the same pace in implementing NAP, unlike a few provinces that are working at a different pace at the moment.

"Balochistan is as dear to me as Punjab, Sindh and K-P," he added.

PM Nawaz was briefed about the security situation in the province during the meeting.

General Raheel, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique were in attendance.

Earlier today, both the premier and the army chief arrived in Quetta to review the implementation of the National Action Plan. Both received a guard of honour on their arrival at the Governor House.

The premier is also expected to hold a meeting with office bearers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Balochistan chapter later during the day.

Just a day ago, PM Nawaz also held a meeting with General Raheel at the Corps headquarters in Karachi.



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Nawaz was also apprised about action taken in the wake of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The army chief also visited Rangers Headquarters Karachi and was briefed by Director-General Rangers Karachi, Major General Bilal Akbar, on the security situation in Karachi.