PM Shehbaz proposes grand dialogue to resolve Balochistan’s issues

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed a grand dialogue to address the issues facing Balochistan, saying dialogue, consultation and fair distribution of resources are essential for resolving the province’s challenges.

Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, Sharif said the purpose of dialogue was to listen to the concerns of the Baloch people and find solutions through mutual consultation.

He said the people of Balochistan had the first right to the province’s resources and stressed that Pakistan could progress only when all four provinces moved forward together.

“If there are problems and challenges, they should be resolved through dialogue,” the prime minister said, adding that consultation and equitable distribution of resources were the best ways to address grievances.

Sharif said no one could take up arms in the name of resolving problems. He alleged that hostile countries were behind terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The prime minister also spoke about the construction of the N-25 highway from Karachi to Chaman, saying the government was working on the project in cooperation with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He expressed concern over attacks on workers involved in development projects.

He said workers operating in mountainous areas were contributing to Balochistan’s prosperity and should be protected.

Referring to the recent conflict, Sharif said the entire nation had remained united. He also described the Gwadar airport as a gift from China to Pakistan.