Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the people of Balochistan are true patriots and that their ancestors have played a key role in the creation of Pakistan.
Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister reiterated that terrorism had resurfaced in Pakistan through a planned conspiracy. He alleged that India was backing terrorists with financial and logistical support and said Afghan territory was being used for terrorist activities. He further stated that the Afghan administration had been unable to stop terrorist groups from using its territory.
Sharif said Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Afghan government not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism, to take action against militant organisations, and to work towards lasting peace in the region. He added that Pakistan had made extensive efforts to convince the Afghan authorities to address these concerns.
The prime minister said terrorism had largely been eliminated from Pakistan by 2017–18 but was later reintroduced through a conspiracy. He stressed that the entire nation must unite to combat terrorism, noting that around 90,000 Pakistanis had embraced martyrdom in the war against terrorism. Referring to the recent killing of the Sessions Judge of Mastung, he said the sacrifices of the people of Balochistan would not go in vain.
He further said Pakistan had decisively defeated its adversary in the “Battle for Truth” and that the country’s effective diplomacy for regional peace had earned international recognition. He praised the efforts of the Field Marshal and the Deputy Prime Minister, saying their contributions were commendable, and added that Pakistan’s successes were difficult for its enemies to accept. He reiterated that the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were working tirelessly to ensure the country’s security.
Turning to economic issues, the prime minister said the time had come to accelerate Pakistan’s economic progress, correct past mistakes, and ensure that the benefits of development reached all provinces. He said Pakistan’s challenges could only be resolved through a transparent system of governance, adding that such a governance model would also be implemented at the provincial level.
Shehbaz Sharif alleged that large-scale corruption existed within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) due to collusion, resulting in state revenues failing to reach the national treasury. He claimed that trillions of rupees were diverted into private pockets annually, worsening Pakistan’s economic challenges and forcing the country to take on additional loans to repay existing debt.
The prime minister also pledged that the federal government would spare no effort in the development of Balochistan, saying Pakistan’s prosperity was closely linked to the province’s progress. He noted that Punjab had provided Rs150 billion to Balochistan under the NFC Award, with the other three provinces also extending support, describing the gesture as an act of brotherhood rather
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