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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged stronger national unity and equal participation of Balochistan in Pakistan’s economic development. Speaking at the National Workshop Balochistan in Islamabad, he said the “true spirit of federation” lies in harmony, mutual sacrifice, and shared progress among all provinces. Balochistan’s Inclusion Key to National Prosperity The prime minister said Balochistan’s people must feel like active partners and beneficiaries of Pakistan’s growth. He emphasised that the country’s overall prosperity depends on the province’s development. Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that Allah has blessed Balochistan with natural resources worth trillions of dollars that remain untapped. He called this neglect a national failure that demands reflection. Recalling the Spirit of the 2009 NFC Award Referring to the 2009 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Shehbaz reminded that Punjab had voluntarily contributed to increase Balochistan’s share of national resources, a move he said reflected the true spirit of federation. He also praised Balochistan’s diverse and peaceful society, where Baloch, Pashtun, Punjabi, and other communities have coexisted for decades. “Pakistan is one home, and every citizen shares the duty to preserve its unity and peace,” he said. Major Road Project Announced Discussing infrastructure challenges, the prime minister announced the dualization of the Karachi–Chaman Highway, locally known as the “bloody road” due to its frequent fatal accidents. The Rs350 billion project will be funded partly by Rs180 billion in annual savings from reduced fuel subsidies. Tackling Security and Promoting Harmony Shehbaz noted that terrorism, which had been eradicated in 2018, has resurfaced in parts of Balochistan. He called for a collective national response and reaffirmed that his government’s top priority is to strengthen inter-provincial cooperation “from Peshawar to Karachi.” ‘We Are One Family’ Praising the resilience of the Baloch people, Shehbaz said their inclusion in national decision-making is vital for lasting unity. “We are Pakistanis first, and our collective strength lies in standing together as one family,” he concluded.
