‘Balochistan people have first right on Reko Diq reserves’

Shahbaz gives laptops to Balochistan students;
says province faced disparity in the past

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the people of Balochistan have first right on Reko Diq reserves; however, no progress has been made so far on it and the matter is in the court.

It is feared that Pakistan may have to pay ransom for it in world reconciliation. He said that the people should be held accountable due to which the Reko Diq matter was delayed and they should be brought to justice.

Pakistan is the label of Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan is ours and we all have to play our part to make it a resilient and prosperous state by standing united against all external challenges. He regretted that in the 70 years prolonged journey of our country, avarice of some elements has harmed country as they had sacrificed the national interest for their vested interests, and the need of the hour is to join hands together for the development of country by overlooking our differences.

Balochistan is the biggest province in terms of area so the challenges being faced there are also bigger, he said.

The chief minister said that students are our precious asset as our future lies in their hands. He advised the students to play their unprecedented part to enhance spirit of brotherhood for the progress and prosperity of their country.

He expressed these views while addressing the delegation of students and teachers of Cadet College Mastung, Balochistan at Model Town, here Friday.

The chief minister gave the cadets laptops and assured that the Punjab government would continue needful cooperation like before.

Addressing the students, Shahbaz Sharif said "even though you are our guest but we would like you to cherish home-like feelings and we are heartedly excited to host you." He said that on Thursday we have observed Pakistan Day which holds a great history attached to it.

He said tragedy of East Pakistan is also a painful episode in our history from which we need learn lesson and mend our ways. He said that just like Punjab is biggest province in terms of population, Balochistan is the biggest in terms of area; so there is a dire need of establishing national policy for important decisions to make the province autonomous; however, these requirements were not met before. Undoubtedly Balochistan has faced inequity in past but now its affairs are being amended. He said futile efforts were made to create misunderstanding by levelling baseless allegations against Punjab besides increasing gulf between the provinces by making the mistakes as basis.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the work was started in the real sense for enhancing harmony and strengthening national solidarity among the provinces. He said Pervez Musharraf did not succeed in approving NFC Award forcibly for 10 years but all the four provincial governments and the federation approved it by displaying political sagacity and conscious in 2010.

Shahbaz Sharif said there was the government of PPP in federation while that of PML-N in Punjab and the Punjab government on the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was President of PML-N at that time, gave Rs11 billion of its share to Balochistan for approving NFC Award. Punjab Assembly and the people of Punjab supported the decision of the government as Pakistan is our home and we have to jointly safeguard it; therefore, Punjab in view of this objective, has so far given Rs66 billion for fulfilling the needs of Balochistan.

He said the country did not make progress during the last 70 years and its only reason is corruption, loot and plunder of national resources by some elements.

Shahbaz Sharif said had Gwadar Port been developed several years earlier there would have been different situation. He said "our friendly country China is developing Gwadar port and it is part of CPEC. China is also constructing an airport as a grant in Gwadar which is a gift for people of Pakistan."

He said unfortunately, some people also criticised Chinese investment and issued baseless statements that God forbid! Pakistan is going to become a Chinese colony but these people remain silent when Budhbir airport was given to the friendly country.

The CM said statements are issued regarding him that he talks of CPEC. Shahbaz Sharif said he is Pakistani and will remain Pakistani and representative of Pakistan and will talk about Pakistan and he is proud of being Pakistani. He said that people of Balochistan have first right on Reko Diq reserves; however, no progress has been made so far on it and the matter is in the court. It is feared that Pakistan will not have to pay ransom for it in world reconciliation. He said that the people should be held accountable due to which the Reko Diq matter was delayed and they should be brought to justice. On the other hand, iron ore reserves have been discovered in Chiniot, Punjab and its feasibility has been completed.

The chief minister said we all are Pakistani and delaying of projects like Reko Diq are painful for us. He said Pervez Musharraf also deceived the nation by laying down the foundation stone of Diamir Basha Dam while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif worked on this project in the real sense and paid Rs66 billion for purchasing land for the project.

Similarly, some friends tried to create misunderstanding among the provinces. He said that Karachi is a city of Pakistan and its development is very dear to us. The federal government has provided resources for Karachi metro bus and we are happy over it but the Punjab government has itself provided resources for metro bus. He said that 200 students sent to China for learning Chinese language also include Baloch students, and 10 students from Gwadar are being sent to China in April. He said that action was being taken successfully against terrorists through operation Rudd-ul-Fasaad and we have to jointly defeat the menace of terrorism.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan has all kind of resources and Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri is making efforts for the development of the province. He said the use of resources is the responsibility of the Balochistan government. Answering another question, he said that Baloch people will benefit from mega projects being established in Balochistan.