ZIARAT - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday called for an end to ‘negative politics’ and ‘subversion’ in the country and urged the parties holding long marches to work for the national development.
“The country cannot afford any more subversion and negative politics. Let us work for the country’s development. If we do not win next elections, they (our coming generations) would at least inherit a developed country,” the prime minister said after inaugurating the rehabilitated building of Ziarat Residency here.
The national monument, also called Quaid-i-Azam Residency, was damaged in a terrorist attack in June last year and the government rehabilitated the national heritage to its original shape. The project executed by prominent architect Nayyar Ali Dada, cost around Rs140 million and completed in record time of five months.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch, Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for SAFRON Abdul Qadir Baloch and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, besides some provincial ministers.
The PM hoisted the national flag and unveiled the plaque to inaugurate the building where Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had spent last couple of months of his life.
“The (real) Azadi March is (taking place) here in Balochistan. The civil and military leadership is together here celebrating Independence Day. What can be a bigger march than this? This tradition should continue. The people of Pakistan are watching this and getting inspired.”
The prime minister said the country could attain heights of progress and prosperity if it got a decade of peace without any interruption. He said Pakistan can recover from the last 10 years’ deficiency if there is uninterrupted peace in the country.
“But this requires devotion and hard work,” he said. “The disparities in Pakistan – where one area is less developed than another – will all be covered up. We have a stake in this country, and we will work hard to contribute to its success,” he added.
Lauding the completion of Residency’s rehabilitation project in record time, he said, “If we show same spirit and dedication for national development, the country can reach its destination within months.” He assured the people that the government would make all-out efforts to make Pakistan a proud country in the world.
PM Nawaz Sharif lauded the improvement of law and order in Balochistan, saying the credit for it went to the chief minister and military leadership, including Commandant Southern Command General Nasir Janjua.
Nawaz Sharif endorsed the viewpoint of Balochistan CM that federating units must be brought closer to each other and said the federal government was already extending cooperation to provincial governments regardless of which party ruled there.
He said the federal government desired durable peace in Karachi and peace efforts were bearing fruit in the city that had been marred by sectarian and target killings and kidnappings for ransom. The crime ratio would also be brought down there, he hoped. He wished a success to the armed forces fighting a decisive battle against militants in North Waziristan.
The prime minister said besides holding long marches, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should provide relief to the public by paying attention to education, law and order, energy crises as well as infrastructure issues.
About electricity requirements of Balochistan, he said after consultation, the government would mull over installing solar energy system to cope with power needs of the area. He reiterated that economic corridors from Khunjrab to Gwadar would prove a game changer for the area.
He said the resolution of energy crises was the government’s top priority and projects of 10,400 megawatt capacity would be completed by the end of 2017. He said the development projects could be completed timely provided some elements did not detract the government’s attention. “All what we need is to correct our agenda and put in hard work,” he remarked.
Earlier, the PM distributed appreciation certificates and cash prizes among the engineers and workers, who took part in the residency’s rehabilitation project. He also took round of the building accompanied by the army chief and architect Nayyar Ali Dada. Earlier, Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha briefed the prime minister about the project.
The prime minister, in his remarks in the Visitors Book, said visiting the restored Quaid-i-Azam Residency at Ziarat was a matter of privilege and honour for him. “It is the monument of our Quaid, which would always be a treasure for the nation. I take this opportunity to congratulate the people and government of Balochistan and the commander and troops of Southern Command on rising to the occasion and completing the task of restoration of this national monument to its complete glory.”
Earlier, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch also addressed the gathering. Children from different educational institutes played national songs and MNA Kiran Haider read out her poetry about the Quaid-i-Azam and the Residency.