-PM announces 15% raise for FC, Rangers personnel during Naushki visit accompanied by COAS
-Says Balochistan’s true potential must be realised via comprehensive national effort
-Gets detailed briefing on security situation of Naushki
-Pays rich tribute to martyrs and their families
-Adds Chinese President assured CPEC next phase to benefit Balochistan the most
NAUSHKI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday vowed that Balochistan’s “true potential” shall be realised “through a comprehensive national effort”
“Through a comprehensive national effort, cooperation between federal and provincial governments and assistance of armed forces, we shall realise [the] true potential of Balochistan,” PM Imran was quoted as saying by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), while giving an update on the premier’s and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s day-long visit to Naushki, Balochistan.
The PM and COAS visited the area along with Balochistan’s chief minister, governor, federal, and provincial ministers. The military’s media wing said that the premier was provided with a detailed briefing on the security situation of the area following the successful repulsion of two separate terror attacks in Naushki and Panjgur by the security forces.
The ISPR said that in his interaction with troops, PM Imran “paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families for their ultimate sacrifices for Pakistan”.
He also lauded the professionalism exhibited by the troops and appreciated their operational preparedness and bravery with which terrorists’ attacks were repulsed.
The premier also reiterated the national resolve to support the armed forces in eliminating the remnants of terrorists trying to sabotage the development of Balochistan.
Separately, the PM, in his address to the troops, announced a 15% raise for the FC and Rangers personnel. The prime minister told the troops that he especially went to Naushki to express solidarity on behalf of the country with the armed forces of the country. He observed that in the war against terrorism, the armed forces and law enforcement agencies had fought so bravely that had never happened across the world. “Not only me, but the whole nation stands with our trroops. The entire nation has the confidence that terrorists cannot cause any harm to the country,” he maintained.
Speaking about Balochistan, the premier claimed that no “democratic government” had invested funds and carried out development work in the province more than his.
Presently, he said, his government had allocated funds for the construction of a highway that would link Chaman, Quetta and Karachi.
Describing it as one of the biggest projects for the province, he said it would immensely benefit Balochistan. “Balochistan is lagging behind [the rest of the country] and so, we aim to focus on it and funnel funds to the province as our revenue increases,” he said. “We will carry out development work here to such an extent that nobody will listen to elements who provoke people here against the government and armed forces.”
He further said that during his recent visit to China, President Xi Jinping had assured him that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would benefit Balochistan the most. He added that technology transfer, information technology and industrialisation would be covered under the next phase of CPEC.
Moreover, the premier said, China was also fully supporting Pakistan in the agriculture sector. And “if we manage to increase our output even by half of the current production, we will be exporting agriculture produce,” he said.
According to the ISPR, the PM also interacted with tribal elders of the area and acknowledged their unwavering support in the fight against terrorism and facilitating government initiatives that are bringing prosperity and development to Balochistan.
The PM assured the Jirga members of continued sincere support for the timely completion of development projects in Balochistan.
“Development of Balochistan is priority and critical for future of Pakistan,” the PM was quoted by ISPR. The top leadership of the country was visiting Naushki to honour the Pakistan troops for their success and sacrifices made in a repulsing terror attack in the area.
The armed forces had successfully averted two separate terror attacks in Naushki and Panjgur, Balochistan, on February 2, and completed the clearance operation in the area later on February 5, killing 20 terrorists with the loss of nine precious soldiers, including a junior and senior army official. –ISPR
