On Thursday, the Pakistani Prime Minister visited Gwadar along with Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir to inaugurate various development projects in the city. Notably, Balochistan Chief Minister Balochistan Qudous Bizenjo did not participate in the ceremony.
During the event, Shahbaz Sharif addressed the audience, expressing satisfaction and happiness with the ongoing progress in Gwadar. He emphasized that Balochistan is a beautiful place blessed with abundant resources, acknowledging that in the past, the region was deprived of basic necessities. However, he asserted that the government has undertaken public projects to foster Gwadar and Balochistan’s development, including providing aid to areas affected by floods.
Shahbaz Sharif highlighted Balochistan’s rich mineral resources, mentioning the Reko Diq project, which despite significant investments, did not yield expected benefits to the people.
Regarding Gwadar port, the Prime Minister spoke of its potential as one of the deepest sea-ports globally, capable of accommodating large and heavy ships. He recognized that the port suffered from neglect in the past, but the government has initiated cleaning efforts to attract more ships, thereby creating employment opportunities for the local population.
The Prime Minister underscored that ongoing projects were delayed during the PTI era, emphasizing the need to prioritize the interests of native Balochistan residents, providing them access to education and essential facilities. He expressed a commitment to the development and prosperity of Balochistan and assured that the region is no longer at risk of default.
During his visit, several laptops were distributed, and the budget allocation for laptops in Balochistan is set to increase. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to building Gwadar port into one of the world’s finest.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit were various Pakistani ministers. BNP leader and Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Kakar welcomed the Prime Minister to Gwadar.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Qudous Bizenjo decided not to attend the Prime Minister’s ceremony. He cited financial difficulties faced by Balochistan and claimed that the federal government had not fulfilled its promises to assist the province in overcoming the financial crisis.