Development projects in Balochistan to bring progress, prosperity in province: PM

Gwadar: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says development projects worth billions of rupees being implemented in Balochistan will guarantee progress and prosperity of the province.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of different development projects in Gwadar on Thursday, he said these projects will be completed within the next two to three years.

The Prime Minister said he was very happy to see that Gwadar was transforming into an international city. He said Gwadar has the potential to become a world-class seaport, adding it was a place which is not only important for Pakistan, but also for the region and the world.

He said Gwadar which used to be most backward city of Pakistan is becoming most prosperous city of the region, adding that Gwadar seaport was the nerve-centre of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said Gwadar is Balochistan and Balochistan is Gwadar and similarly Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar.

The Prime Minister pointed out that a 300MW coal-fired power plant is being built which will provide electricity to Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan. Likewise, he said desalination plant will provide clean drinking water to Gwadar and adjoining areas.

Sharif said domestic and international flights will be operated from Gwadar international airport linking Gwadar to the world.

He said he was proud of Pakistan-China friendship and said it will be strengthened further. He said Pakistan and China is implementing joint venture in infrastructure, power, railways and other sectors including industrial zones and economic zones. He said through infrastructure projects, traffic from Gwadar will go to China and from China to Gwadar.

The Prime Minister said over ten thousand MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by the end of 2017 or in the beginning of 2018. He hoped that load-shedding will end in 2018 and said work is continuing on different projects.

He directed the Gwadar Port Authority not to allow land encroachers to operate in the area and also directed authorities to follow the master-plan of Gwadar City at all costs.

The Prime Minister as a result of operation against terrorists, terrorism is breathing its last. He said peace has also been established in Balochistan. He paid tributes to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions who sacrificed for peace in the country.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri said development projects will bring progress and prosperity to the province.

He said funds have been released for Gwadar Safe City project. The chief minister thanked the prime minister for removing hurdles in the way of development process. He said Nawaz Sharif is taking keen interest in the development projects of Balochistan.

In his address, Mir Hasil Bizenjo stressed the need for announcing Rs10 billion (Dh350 million) package for Gwadar. He said people of the province want development in the area. Bizenjo said CPEC would prove to be a game-changer for Balochistan.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said it is an honoor to visit Gwadar with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said Gwadar Port is an important project of CPEC project. He said Pakistan and China will work together for making Gwadar Free Trade Zone.

He said a 20-member delegation comprising Balochistan decision makers will visit China.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, MOUs on different projects were signed between Pakistan and Chinese authorities.