Peace to be restored to Balochistan at all costs: PM

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday committed that peace will be restored to the Balochistan province at all costs. The prime minister met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif to deliberate on key economic and political matters.

The premier briefed the party leader on significant national issues including the economic situation and state of law and order. He also provided an update on developments in Balochistan. He said he had detailed discussions with the Balochistan chief minister and expressed his commitment to ensuring peace in the province. Nawaz underscored the importance of Punjab’s role as the elder brother and directed that every possible effort be made to provide maximum relief to people.

Earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti called on the prime minister in Lahore and briefed him on the situation in his province. The chief minister also extended Eidul Fitr greetings to the premier. The two leaders held detailed discussions on economic, social and law and order situation in Balochistan. The ongoing development projects, started by the federal government in Balochistan, also came under discussion in the meeting.

The prime minister reaffirmed that development of Balochistan was among the top priorities of the federal government and all possible steps would be taken in that regard. The premier emphasized all possible support for the development of Balochistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi also called on the prime minister and briefed him on national security and ongoing developments in the country. He also extended Eid greetings to the prime minister and discussed security measures. He also briefed the prime minister on progress of repatriation process of Afghan nationals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction at the law & order situation, especially during the Eid days. The matters related to the Interior Ministry also came under discussion.

The interior minister also met Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Law and order situation in Punjab was discussed, particularly of Katcha area and provincial border posts. They agreed to coordinate efforts to improve law and order.

Meanwhile, Geo News reported that the prime minister is expected to announce a reduction in electricity prices today (Thursday) following approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a statement, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the premier would address the nation today and announce the “good news”. “The address will be the result of efforts since 2022… PMLN and coalition government consider national service their top priority,” he said, adding that the journey of development and economic recovery would continue.

Separately, sources told Geo News that the prime minister would hold a crucial meeting with leading business figures in Islamabad. The meeting would be attended by cabinet members and 336 business tycoons, during which PM Shehbaz will brief them on power sector reforms.

Meanwhile, the prime minister expressed good wishes for early and complete recovery of President Asif Ali Zardari. The premier prayed to Allah Almighty for complete recovery of the president. He said the nation should also pray for the health of Asif Ali Zardari and directed the authorities concerned to provide the best health facilities to the president.

Earlier on Monday, the prime minister offered the Eid prayer in Model Town and prayed for the country’s peace and development. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif and other party leaders accompanied the prime minister.

Earlier, in his message to the nation on Eid day, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that as the country was facing threats from internal and external enemies, there was a need to combat all sorts of extremism, hatred and sectarianism. “We need to be united for the integrity and stability of the country besides not letting any conspiracy to succeed,” he added. He also urged the countrymen to remember the innocent people of Kashmir and Palestine and reiterated Pakistan’s continuous support to their freedom struggle.

Later, the prime minister held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and extended Eidul Fitr greetings to him. The premier also expressed good wishes for the PPP chairman. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended Eid greetings to Shehbaz.

Separately, the prime minister held a telephonic conversation with the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, and extended his warm wishes and greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. He expressed his satisfaction at the positive momentum in bilateral relations between the two countries. Shehbaz also held a telephonic conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and extended warm Eidul Fitr greetings to him and the people of Malaysia. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the importance of PM Shehbaz’s scheduled visit to Kuala Lumpur in May this year. In his telephonic conversation with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian on Eidul Fitr, the prime minister extended warm greetings and best wishes to the president, Iran’s supreme leader as well as to the brotherly people of Iran. He said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed deep fraternal relations and, as neighbouring countries, they could benefit from enhanced trade. At the same time, they also needed to cooperate more closely to deal with challenges such as border security.

The prime minister also held a warm telephonic conversation with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and conveyed Eid greetings and the best wishes to him as well as the brotherly people of Kazakhstan. During his telephonic conversation with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Eidul Fitr, the prime minister exchanged greetings and best wishes. Meanwhile, the prime minister held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the king, the royal family as well as the brotherly people of Bahrain. King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa warmly reciprocated the prime minister’s Eid greetings and conveyed his best wishes to the people of Pakistan on this joyous occasion.

The prime minister also held a warm and cordial telephonic conversation with UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and greeted him, the Emirati royal family as well as the brotherly people of the UAE on Eid, and prayed for their continued prosperity, peace and progress. He also expressed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for the UAE’s longstanding and steadfast support to Pakistan. The UAE president warmly reciprocated the Eid greetings and extended his best wishes to the people of Pakistan. The prime minister also held a telephonic conversation with the Member of Bosnia & Herzegovina Presidency Dr Denis Becirovic and conveyed his heartfelt Eidul Fitr greetings to him, as well as to the people of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Shehbaz also held a telephonic conversation with Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and extended Eid greetings and warm wishes to him. He said “the country’s development is associated with progress of Sindh.” He further said that welfare of the people of Sindh was among the priorities of the incumbent government.

The prime minister also called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, extending his heartfelt Eidul Fitr greetings. He also had separate telephonic conversations with Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Gilgit Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Jamaat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and Awami National Party leader Aimal Wali Khan and extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings. The premier also extended warm wishes for the political leaders.

Meanwhile, the prime minister called Hafeezullah Niazi and Inamullah Niazi and offered condolence over the death of their brother Saeedullah Niazi.

In a telephonic conversation with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed the deep sympathies of the Pakistani government and its citizens over the tragedy.

The first air cargo flight (B-757) carrying 35 tons of relief supplies would depart from Islamabad International Airport bound for Yangon, Myanmar. Upon arrival, the aid would be handed over to Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement by the Pak ambassador and defence attaché in Myanmar. The aid consignment consists of essential supplies, including approximately 565 tents, 210 tarpaulins, 2,000 blankets, 1 ton of ready-to-eat food, 0.5 tons of medicines and 10 water purification modules.

The dispatch ceremony took place at the Islamabad International Airport, which was attended by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary representing the prime minister. Officers from the NDMA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassador of Myanmar were also present on the occasion.

Myanmar’s ambassador extended the deepest gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and people of Pakistan for generous humanitarian assistance in this time of need. He appreciated the timely and compassionate response from Pakistan for earthquake affectees in Myanmar.

The second consignment of 35 tons would be dispatched in coordination with relevant authorities.