Money saved from holding back oil price relief to be spent on Balochistan projects, says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced that instead of passing on the relief of reduced oil prices in international market to consumers, the government would use the saved money for the reconstruction of N-25 Highway and completion of Phase-II of the Kachhi Canal project in Balochistan.

The prime minister made the announcement while chairing the federal cabinet meeting here, where he declared the transformation of N-25, known infamously as the “deadly road”, into a motorway-standard highway. He said that the decision reflected the national commitment to Balochistan’s development and an end to years of neglect.

“From a political and social perspective, it’s time we addressed the disparity. While motorways run through many parts of the country, Balochistan has waited far too long. We will now change the fate of N-25, from being a highway of tragedy to a highway of prosperity,” said the prime minister.

He underlined that the N-25, connecting Karachi to Chaman via Quetta, Kalat, and Khuzdar, had claimed more than 2,000 lives in recent years due to its poor condition and single-lane structure.

PM Shehbaz announced that the Rs300 billion reconstruction project would now move forward under federal government’s supervision, with third-party validation to ensure high standards.

“We will build this as a top-class road and I, along with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, will personally supervise the progress,” he stated.

The highway was first approved in FY2022-23, but progress stalled due to funding gaps. The revival of the project is now being supported by a reallocation of resources made possible by falling global petroleum prices. Rather than passing on the full relief to consumers, the government opted to invest in strategic infrastructure, he said.

He also told the cabinet members that Phase-II of the Kachhi Canal—a Rs70 billion irrigation project—would be completed using the same pool of funds. “If completed, this project will irrigate vast area of Balochistan’s arid land. It can transform agriculture, improve livelihoods, and address food security. The only condition is hard work,” he said.

The prime minister emphasized the judicious allocation of resources keeping in view the needs of all federating units. He highlighted the Rs70 billion solarisation of tubewells in Balochistan—a joint initiative of the federal and provincial governments—as a shining example of this collaboration, with the federal government covering 70 percent of the cost.

He added that the Hyderabad-Sukkur M-6 Motorway and M-9 Motorway from Sukkur to Karachi would also be built under the federal government’s transparent implementation process, extending high-quality roads across underserved areas.

During the cabinet meeting, Shehbaz also condemned the tragic killing of eight innocent Pakistanis in Iran’s Sistan province. He reiterated Pakistan’s expectation that the Iranian authorities would swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

The prime minister also prayed for the full and speedy recovery of President Asif Ali Zardari who was currently under treatment after he was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The federal cabinet also took several key decisions, including approval of amendments to the Petroleum Levy Ordinance (1961) to boost national revenues, endorsement of the Sustainable Investment Sukuk Framework for issuing domestic securities supporting environmental and renewable energy projects, greenlight for a bill to establish the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority, promoting agricultural reform and food security.

On the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, attending as a special guest, lauded the prime minister’s decision to prioritise long-ignored projects in Balochistan.

“The N-25 is indeed a bloody road, but today you have shown compassion by diverting national resources to address the pain and deprivation of the people of Balochistan,” Bugti added.

Separately, addressing the first ever two-day Overseas Pakistanis Convention, the prime minister announced multiple measures to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, including the revival of the Green Channel and establishment of special courts for speedy disposal of their cases.

He said the Green Channel at airports would be revived within a week, originally initiated by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, to simplify procedures for overseas Pakistanis.

He added that while the process of setting up similar courts in Punjab is underway, other provinces will also be requested to establish such courts.

He announced that facilities for e-recording of evidence through video links at Pakistan’s missions abroad would be made available, along with e-filing of cases.

These announcements came a day after the State Bank of Pakistan reported record monthly foreign remittances of $4.1 billion in March.

The prime minister said an immediate amendment would be introduced to civil court procedures to prevent fictitious litigation against overseas Pakistanis, while defendants would retain the right to defend themselves if permitted by the court.

In education initiatives, he announced a five percent quota for children of overseas Pakistanis in all federally chartered universities and degree-awarding institutions, with a 15 percent quota reserved in medical colleges -- benefiting approximately 3,000 students. Additionally, 5,000 children of expatriates would be offered skill development courses.

The prime minister directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to treat overseas Pakistanis as filers in business activities and banking matters. He noted that special FBR offices have already been established in Balochistan and Punjab, with plans to extend this facility to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

Shehbaz announced that the exemption in upper age limit for overseas Pakistani women applying for government jobs has been increased from five to seven years. He also revealed that a system for online registration of sale deeds, following the Punjab pattern, will soon be established at Pakistan’s High Commission in London, with plans to replicate this mechanism in other foreign missions.

Addressing longstanding demands, he announced the establishment of an international airport at Mirpur, for which feasibility has been ordered. He announced that every year on August 14, outstanding overseas Pakistanis would be conferred civil awards based on remittance contributions, as tracked by the State Bank. The diplomatic missions and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) would submit their nominations for the purpose, he added.

The prime minister informed the convention that a dedicated desk has been established at the Federal Ombudsman Office where overseas Pakistanis can lodge complaints via email and WhatsApp.

Acknowledging the immense contribution of overseas Pakistanis towards the country’s economic stability, Shehbaz Sharif urged them to help counter negative propaganda against Pakistan’s armed forces being spread by elements abroad. He noted that while the armed forces continue to make unmatched sacrifices in the war against terrorism, some elements persist in spreading negative propaganda on social media.

The prime minister said that today, our Pakistani brothers and sisters have come here from Europe, America, and the Gulf. Ten million Pakistanis reside in different regions of the world. Overseas Pakistanis have earned halal livelihood through their hard work day and night and have enhanced Pakistan’s prestige in all countries.

He said that over 10 million overseas Pakistanis have served their homeland. Pakistanis abroad have earned their place through hard work and dedication. Overseas Pakistanis are our ambassadors. They are the crowns on our heads. Overseas Pakistanis have made a name for themselves in medicine, engineering, and other fields. The 240 million people of Pakistan salute overseas Pakistanis.

The prime minister paid tribute to the Pakistan armed forces, particularly Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, whom he called “a man of his words and unmatched capability.”

“The defence of Pakistan is impregnable under his leadership,” he asserted, warning that any threat to the nation would be “crushed by the valiant armed forces.”

He highlighted the unmatched sacrifices of 80,000 Pakistanis -- including civilians and security personnel -- in the fight against terrorism. “Turning the tide against this onslaught was only possible due to divine blessings, nation’s prayers, and the unwavering courage of our forces,” he said.

Addressing the resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the prime minister emphasized the need to recognise the sacrifices of soldiers who sacrifice their lives to protect millions.

He condemned the “venomous narratives” on social media targeting the military, urging the nation to counter such propaganda through logic and patriotism.

Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the just causes of Kashmir and Gaza.

He criticised the previous government for breaching the IMF agreement, which harmed Pakistan’s reputation, and lauded the efforts by current and former coalition governments for stabilising the economy.

The prime minister pledged to personally oversee the investments of overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan. “I will be your CEO. My cabinet and our business community will ensure that your investments are protected and facilitated,” he assured.

Concluding his address, the prime minister instructed Pakistan’s envoys and diplomats to respect overseas Pakistanis, treat them politely and extend all possible facilitation and cooperation in resolving their problems.

Addressing the convention, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir warned that whosoever hindered Pakistan’s progress will be dealt with by the nation collectively. He said the country’s enemies should not labour under any misunderstanding that a handful of terrorists could decide Pakistan’s destiny.

“Even 10 generations of terrorists cannot harm Pakistan and Balochistan,” he said, adding that Balochistan was the destiny of Pakistan and jewel of the nation.

He told the expatriates that the army could overcome every difficulty with ease as long as the nation stood with it. “Pakistan is bestowed with enormous resources for which we should be thankful to Almighty Allah,” he said. He also maintained that the army would remain resilient in the face of any difficulties. “The nation sees the sacrifices of its martyrs with respect and these eternal sacrifices would not go waste,” he said.

He also reminded the expatriates living in different parts of world to keep in mind that they belonged to an ideology and a culture. “Wherever you reside, remember that you do not belong to an ordinary country rather you are representative of a great and powerful state,” he said.

He also dismissed the term ‘brain-drain’ used for Pakistanis going abroad saying it was rather ‘brain gain’ and expatriates were its fine example. “As Muslim and Pakistani, we do not fear adverse conditions and difficulties. We will not surrender to any difficulty,” he said.

He said overseas Pakistanis should also know that they were not only ambassadors of the country but also a light that shone the whole world. The army chief said he was impressed to witness the emotions and spirit of overseas Pakistanis. “Our emotions are even higher and stronger,” he said.

He asked the expatriates to tell the story of Pakistan on the basis of which the country was achieved to the next generations. He said Pakistan would be taken to the heights envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. “The journey of Pakistan’s progress is on but the question is that as to how fast it will make progress,” he added. He particularly mentioned that Kashmir was Pakistan’s jugular vein and that Pakistanis hearts beat with the hearts of Muslims of Gaza.

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza said that PM Shehbaz positively responded to 14 key demands of Overseas Pakistanis and formed a high-powered committee under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. He emphasized the important role of the diaspora, spread across 160 countries, and confirmed that a mega overseas convention will be held annually every April. Raza also acknowledged the support of COAS General Asim Munir in organising the convention, which successfully convened over 1,200 overseas participants on a short notice.