ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined the importance of provincial consensus to uphold national unity and promote the “true spirit of a federation.”
The premier called for collective efforts to address longstanding issues faced by the province, stressing that “Pakistan is our home and we have to put out the fire together.”
In this regard, PM Shehbaz recalled the extensive deliberations that led to the 2009 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He described further how all four chief ministers and their finance ministers held a marathon three-day session in Lahore to finalize the award.
“When then Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani demanded that 100 per cent financial resources be added to Balochistan’s share, I said Punjab is ready to contribute whatever amount is required,” he said. “That is the true spirit of a federation, four brothers living under one roof.”
Furthermore, the prime minister said the province had “voluntarily joined Pakistan,” a gesture that history would always remember “in golden words.”
In this sense, PM Shehbaz acknowledged that the province’s challenges could not be resolved overnight but focused on the fact that unity and a shared national identity must guide all solutions.
“The people of Balochistan, Baloch, Pashtun and all other communities should not only own Pakistan but also feel like active participants and beneficiaries of economic growth,” he said.
Moreover, the prime minister also spoke about the need for introspection, noting that despite past successes in defeating terrorism, new grievances and divisions had emerged.
“We are Pakistanis first then Punjabis, Baloch, Sindhis or Pashtuns,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, he referring to the Regional Cooperation for Development Highway, commonly known as the “killer road,” PM Shehbaz announced plans to rebuild the Karachi-Chaman route, with an estimated cost of Rs300–350 billion.
He further added that funds saved from declining global oil prices would be redirected to such development projects instead of consumer subsidies.
“These are the decisions through which Pakistan can definitely come out of its challenges,” he said.
