PM exhorts detractors to back development agenda

Nawaz inaugurates Rs17b stretch of M-4 from Gojra to Shorkot

FAISALABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday defended his government’s performance, noting that public funds were being used transparently and judiciously to spur development in the country as he urged his detractors to back major projects instead of pulling the government’s legs.

As he broke ground for construction of a 62-kilometre stretch of M-4 motorway from Gojra to Shorkot in Gojra, the premier said his government’s efforts were bearing result. “The writ of the government has now been re-established in places such as Karachi, Balochistan and North Waziristan Agency,” he said and reiterated his commitment to eliminating terrorism.



He added that despite resource constraints, his government was pushing ahead with development projects in addition to ensuring funds for Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan against terrorism.

Nawaz’s comments came after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government was criticised by the country’s military commanders for lack of ‘governance initiatives’ to complement the ongoing counterterrorism operations.

He urged the political parties and other stakeholders to shun their differences and back development projects as part of the ‘national agenda of prosperity’. “Instead of leg-pulling and making these [mega development] projects controversial, all should back these projects of national importance.”



Motorway a lifeline of the nation

Calling the motorway the lifeline of the nation, Nawaz said the Faisalabad-Multan stretch would play a significant role in the economic development of the country in addition to bringing a qualitative change in the socioeconomic conditions of the masses.

The prime minister claimed that the project had been slated to cost Rs21 billion, but now it would be completed in Rs17 billion, saving Rs4 billion of public money. He directed the National Highway Authority to complete work on M-4 in the shortest possible time.

Referring to other projects, the premier said work on Shorkot-Khanewal section would start soon while work on the Khanewal-Multan section has already been completed.



He added that the six-lane Lahore-Karachi Motorway was also a gigantic project which would play a pivotal role in boosting the country’s economy.

However, he lamented that the M-2 had been neglected by previous governments over the past decade.

This meant repairs and overlays on the highway today would run into billions. “Immediately after I came to power, I prioritised repairs on the (M2) motorway to save it from collapse.”



Pointing to the agreements recently signed with Tajikistan to link Pakistan to Central Asia through road networks, Nawaz said the measure would help boost the country’s exports.

Energy projects

Nawaz said his government was also concentrating on the energy crisis and a number of projects had been launched in this regard. “We have not only started LNG power projects, but we have also saved Rs115 billion by using national wealth judiciously and transparently.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2015.