Focus on to up develop Balochistan: Zardari

F.P. Report

TURBAT: President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians and former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has said that the incoming PPP government after the upcoming general elections will start development projects in the fields of education, health and communication to speed up the development process in Balochistan, as well as will ensure supply of irrigation water to promote agriculture in the province. He said that in terms of development projects, “Balochistan will be the first” now, and “there is a lot of scope for Balochistan to move forward”.

According to the press release issued by media cell Bilawal House Karachi, the former president, while addressing the party workers’ convention here on Monday, said that Balochistan is the heart of Pakistan. He urged that conflict does not bring prosperity, and added: “We will beautify Balochistan, Balochistan has many resources. I will make Balochistan 10 times ahead.” He said that during the party’s previous government in the province, he provided funds but did not monitor the development projects. “Now I will supervise the development projects myself,” he vowed.

Former President pointed out that previous PPP governments in Sindh had build lining canals, as a result of which sugarcane is being cultivated in many uninhabited areas of the province. “Gold can also grow here in Balochistan,” he added.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that development in Balochistan will be done in cooperation with China, saying: “China will be our partner, we will work together with China.” He pointed out that Gwadar was already there, but no one except the PPP government paid attention to the expansion of that port. “We have to improve the economic conditions, we have to give employment to the youth of Balochistan,” he said, adding that Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) will be expanded and educated unemployed youth will be given stipend till they get employment.

The former president said that individuals sitting in Islamabad do not understand Balochistan, they do not understand Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa either, adding that the PPP government formed after the upcoming general elections will build a university in every division of Balochistan, a college in every district and medical colleges and hospitals keeping in mind the population.

The former president said that he had endured 14 years of imprisonment, during which he trained himself. Whenever PPP comes to power, it comes to serve the people, he said and added: “I gave identity to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by giving its name. It’s not our fault, it’s our pride.” He said that no nation can bear the burden of another, and added: “We gave hospitality to Afghans for 40 years, but today they are reluctant to be our brothers.”

He urged that he want everyone to return to their homeland, stay in their own homes. No other country can take care of them. We will take care of our own,” he concluded. Meanwhile, former Caretaker Federal Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti formally announced his joining PPP at the workers convention.