Politicians often visit SA, speculations should be avoided: Ahsan

QUETTA: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Friday said politicians often visit Saudi Arabia, therefore, no speculations should be made over it.

He expressed these views at the inaugural ceremony of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Pishin Campus. He said the government is taking all possible steps to restore peace in the province. He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will lead country towards new era of progress and development.

Ahsan Iqbal said the country has been facing many challenges at the time, and instead of sit-ins and protests, the opposition parties and leaders should collaborate with the government to restore peace.

“Our first priority is to establish peace and prosperity in the country. No state can develop in absence of peace and harmony. Afghanistan, Iraq and some other countries are its living example for us,” he said.

Provincial minister Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, Member Provincial Assembly Agha Liaquat, Vice Chancellor Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Rukhsana Jabeen, Deputy Mayor Quetta Muhammad Younis Baloch, Nasibullah Bazai, DIG Abdul Razaq Cheema and deputy commissioner Pishin were also present on the occasion.

Ahsan Iqbal said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also believed that women’s education is essential for development of the country.

"Now every child will gain higher education in the province; we will equip young generation of Balochistan with science and technology so that they can play role in the development of Pakistan," he said.

In response to a question, the minister said CPEC will eventually bring economic growth in the country. Initially, he said, there had been some opponent propagandas against this project but now the whole nation is united and involved in the completion of this project. He said this project will definitely benefit people of all provinces.

The minister cautioned that India is engaged in disrupting the project through Afghanistan. He said arrest of Indian serving navy officer Khulbhushan Jadhav is the evidence of Indian involvement in Balochistan terrorist activities. He said the security forces are playing crucial role in eliminating terrorism from the country.

To another question, the minister said higher education funds have been increased from Rs12 billion to Rs35 billion, and the government aim to raise these funds to 50 billion by next year. The minister said the government will build a brilliant building for the university in Pishin. He said the government will ensure advancement of latest technology for the university and will also launch laptop scheme for the students.

He said that with the establishment of university campuses in Khuzdar, Pishin, Waad and Noshki, education opportunities will enable students to achieve higher education in Balochistan.