PM says Balochistan has first right over its mineral resources

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the issues facing Balochistan must be resolved through dialogue and a fair distribution of resources, stressing that violence and taking up arms could not provide a solution to the province’s longstanding problems.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Balochistan National Workshop in Quetta, the prime minister said the purpose of the dialogue was to listen to the people of Balochistan and understand their concerns rather than engage in a formal government discourse.

“Problems can only be resolved through dialogue,” the prime minister said, adding that equitable distribution of resources was an important way to address grievances.

He said that Balochistan was a province comprising both Baloch and Pashtun communities and praised the Baloch people for their history of courage, hospitality, tolerance and rich traditions.

Shehbaz said that following the creation of Pakistan, different parts of Balochistan had acceded to the country and that Baloch elders and people had made the decision to join Pakistan according to their “inner voice”.

He said that the province had immense mineral resources and that the people of Balochistan had the first right over those resources.

‘Taking up arms cannot solve problems’

The prime minister acknowledged that Balochistan faced problems but rejected violence as a means of addressing them.

He said those who took up arms in the name of grievances could not be considered to be acting in the interest of Pakistan.

“No one has the right to take a life on the basis of an identity card,” he said, stressing that differences and grievances should be resolved through dialogue.

He said matters concerning dignity and honour could not be compromised, while emphasising that meaningful engagement with the people was essential for resolving issues.

The prime minister also blamed hostile countries for terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were sacrificing their lives to protect citizens.

He paid tribute to security personnel and other victims who, he said, were sacrificing their lives to save others.

Referring to the recent “Marka-e-Haq”, Shehbaz said the entire nation had remained united during the confrontation.

Focus on development, connectivity

The prime minister said the government was working with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on the construction of the N-25 highway linking Karachi with Chaman, describing the project as an important connectivity initiative.

He regretted that workers involved in development projects on the highway were sometimes targeted and killed.

Shehbaz also highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar Port, saying it was one of the region’s important ports and could accommodate cargo ships carrying up to 100,000 tonnes.

He described the Gwadar International Airport as a gift from Pakistan’s “great friend” China.

The prime minister said the federal government had shifted 22,000 agricultural tubewells in Balochistan to solar power.

He said the solarisation project had a cost of Rs70 billion, of which Rs40 billion had been contributed by the federal government.

Education and federal development support

Shehbaz said the federal government was establishing Daanish schools in nine districts of Balochistan, stressing that children in the province’s less-developed districts were equally entitled to quality education.

He said all four federating units were equal partners in the country’s development process.

The prime minister said the federal government had also increased funding for Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

He said Punjab had provided Rs11 billion to Balochistan, adding that the provinces and the federal government had a shared responsibility for the country’s development.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) had an allocation of Rs1 trillion, including Rs200 billion for Balochistan compared with Rs70 billion for Punjab.

Economic and agricultural measures

The prime minister said Pakistan’s IT exports had increased by 21 per cent, describing the growth as an encouraging development for the country’s economy.

He also said rice growers had been provided a subsidy of Rs11 billion.

Shehbaz reiterated that development could not continue without peace and stability, warning that continued terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could hamper economic activity and development.

He also directed the petroleum minister to address the issue of gas load-shedding in Balochistan during the coming winter.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti thanked the prime minister for inviting representatives from the province to the workshop and said the federal government’s decision to shift agricultural tubewells to solar power would benefit farmers.

The prime minister said the government would continue working to promote development, improve public services and address the concerns of the people of Balochistan through dialogue and cooperation.