Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday accused India of supporting terrorism in Pakistan and claimed that an organised plan revived militant activities after the country had largely eliminated the threat in 2018. Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister said Pakistan had successfully controlled terrorism before militant violence returned through what he described as a planned conspiracy.
He praised the Pakistan Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the country. Moreover, he expressed confidence that Pakistan would continue its efforts to eliminate militancy and ensure national security.
PM Highlights Fight Against Terrorism
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had achieved a major victory against its enemies during the “Battle of Truth”. He added that the government would continue working with security institutions to remove terrorism from the country.
The prime minister also discussed Pakistan’s concerns regarding militant activities from Afghan territory. He said Islamabad had repeatedly asked Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
However, he claimed that the Afghan Taliban administration had failed to stop militant groups operating against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Shehbaz emphasized that national security and economic growth must move forward together. He said Pakistan needed to focus on development while continuing efforts to protect its people.
Government Announces Development Plans for Balochistan
The prime minister acknowledged past mistakes and assured participants that his government would take steps to address those issues. Furthermore, he said the federal government would continue transferring resources and administrative powers to provinces.
Shehbaz Sharif promised full support for Balochistan’s development and prosperity. He highlighted the contributions of Baloch and Pashtun communities in Pakistan’s history and praised their role in strengthening the federation.
He said Punjab provided Rs150 billion for Balochistan through the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Additionally, he noted that the other three provinces also allocated funds for the province’s progress.
The prime minister described this financial support as a symbol of national unity rather than assistance given as a favour.
Balochistan Infrastructure and Agriculture Projects Continue
Shehbaz Sharif said political leaders in Balochistan had always prioritized national interests. He added that both the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government and the current administration had allocated significant funds for provincial development.
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Karachi-Chaman dual carriageway. Furthermore, he said around 27,000 tube wells in Balochistan had shifted to solar energy to reduce costs and improve agricultural support.
The prime minister also mentioned a Rs75 billion package for farmers. He said the federal government contributed Rs50 billion to strengthen the agriculture sector.
PM Pays Tribute to Terrorism Victims
Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to people who lost their lives during Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. He said around 90,000 Pakistanis had sacrificed their lives during the conflict.
He also honoured Mastung Sessions Judge Abdul Hakim and a security official who lost their lives during recent terrorist incidents.
The prime minister said the sacrifices of Balochistan’s people would always be remembered. He assured that these sacrifices would inspire continued efforts to bring peace, stability, and development to the province.
