ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that India is behind terrorism in Pakistan and is providing resources to militant groups, saying terrorism had been eliminated in the country but was revived as part of a planned conspiracy.
Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister said the Baloch and Pashtun communities had played a key role in the creation of Pakistan, while the province's leadership had historically contributed to strengthening the federation by putting national interests above personal gains.
Shehbaz said Balochistan required greater development resources because of the long distances between its various regions. He said Punjab had made a significant contribution to Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, while the other three provinces had also supported the province, describing the assistance as an expression of brotherhood rather than a favour.
The prime minister said Punjab had provided Rs150 billion to Balochistan under the NFC Award, while major development projects and resources had also been allocated to the province during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He added that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the incumbent government had released record funds for Balochistan's development.
He said 27,000 tube wells in Balochistan had been converted to solar energy, while the federal government contributed Rs50 billion to a Rs75 billion project for farmers.
Shehbaz said construction of a dual carriageway from Karachi to Chaman was under way at an estimated cost of Rs300 billion and was expected to be completed within the next two years.
Expressing grief over the deaths of Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem and a security official in the Mastung attack, the prime minister said the sacrifices of the people of Balochistan would not go in vain. He praised the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their role in defending the country and maintaining peace.
Shehbaz said around 90,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives in the fight against terrorism. He claimed that terrorism had been completely eliminated by 2018 but had resurfaced as part of an organised conspiracy, stating that India's role in such activities was evident.
The prime minister urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used against Pakistan, saying the Afghan government had failed to effectively curb militant elements.
He said Pakistan had achieved significant successes in recent times and claimed that the country had decisively defeated its adversary in Marka-e-Haq. He added that Pakistan's diplomatic efforts for regional peace were receiving international recognition.
Shehbaz also praised the services of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, saying Pakistan's achievements were not being accepted by its adversaries.
He stressed that the time had come to shift the country's focus towards economic growth and accelerate the journey towards national prosperity.