DERA BUGTI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday appealed to the estranged Baloch to leave the path of confrontation and join the national mainstream for the sake of development of the province.
“I want to say to my brothers who are upset with us to participate in development and progress of their province and I promise electricity, roads and gas projects in Balochistan,” he said after inauguration of the Kachhi Canal project in Dera Bugti.
The first phase of the project completed at a cost of Rs 80 billion will irrigate 72,000 acres of barren yet cultivable land in the far-flung and backward areas of Dera Bugti. The project will be a game changer for the people of Dera Bugti, he said.
“Today, Nawaz Sharif should have been here,” he said, adding that the former premier had been involved in every phase of the project.
He said the foundation of Kachhi Canal was laid in 1998 government of Nawaz Sharif but subsequent governments did not release funds for this project. The project is a symbol of love between two provinces, he said, adding the 300-kilometre canal runs from Punjab and provides water to Balochistan.
“A lot of governments have come, but they only made empty promises to secure their votes. The PML-N does not make false promises … it resolves problems of people in the country. If you make the right decision when casting your votes, you will also see the benefits,” he said.
The prime minister said more than Rs 700 billion projects relating to water, provision of electricity and gas and roads are under implementation in Balochsitan. He said the day will soon come when Balochistan will be the most prosperous province of Pakistan.
The prime minister while referring to shortage of drinking water in Dera Bugti and Domki assured that the issue will be resolved very soon. He said each district of Balochistan will be provided gas at a cost of Rs 15 billion. He also announced the establishment of a 50-bed hospital in Dera Bugti.
The prime minister said Gwadar Port will make Baochistan the richest province. He said that whole country was indebted to Balochistan as gas from Sui had allowed other provinces to progress. Abbasi said that several development projects were underway in Balochistan at a cost of Rs445 billion, while Rs25 billion were being spent on energy projects. Work to provide natural gas to all district headquarters of the province had already commenced at a cost of Rs 15 billion. Twenty-one universities, he added, would be constructed in the province with the cooperation of the federal government.
Published in Daily Times, September 15th 2017.
