Dec 31 , 2015
News
Modi’s visit ‘first step in right direction’: Nawaz
* PM lays foundation stone of western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor * Pledges to spend Rs 200 billion for Balochistan development
APPZHOB: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed optimism that Pakistan-India ties would improve in the days ahead and the spirit of goodwill generated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit would continue to prevail.
Talking to reporters at Zhob airport following the groundbreaking of Zhob-Mughal Kot Road and Qila Saifullah-Waigam Rud Road, the prime minister said ‘goodwill gestures were solution to many a ill’.
Responding to a question about the recent visit of the Indian prime minister to Lahore and its impact on bilateral ties, Nawaz recalled how US President Barack Obama demonstrated his statesmanship that led to improved ties with Iran and the inking of the nuclear deal. He said the credit for improved Iran-US relations goes to President Obama.
“All issues could be resolved through negotiations with application of sagacity and forbearance,” he said, and added that Modi’s visit on December 25 was a step in this direction.
He said he was thankful to Modi for visiting Lahore enroute via Kabul to India. “We had positive talks,” he added. Earlier, the prime minister laid foundation stone of western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Zhob-Mughal Kot (N-50) and Qila Saifullah-Wagum Road (N-70).
Addressing the ceremony, Nawaz said as part of CPEC, 194-km road from Gwadar to Khushab would be inaugurated next month whereas 154-km Khushab-Panjgur-Basima road will be completed by December 16. He said 243-km Khuzdar-Wanguhil-Shahdad Kot road would also be completed by the next year.
The prime minister said that a hefty amount of Rs150 billion to Rs200 billion would be spent in the next three to four years in Balochistan for development. He said uplift of the province was the top priority of his government as it would benefit the entire country. “The project would open up opportunities of trade and business for the whole region and help in removing backwardness of the province. Soon, there will be dawn of prosperity of which Balochistan would be the major source of fast track progress, “he added.
The prime minister appreciated the national leaders who were at hand for jointly laying foundation of the two road projects. He expressed the hope that all the political parties would collectively work for the national prosperity and against terrorism and play their due part for the durable peace and prosperity.
He said that individually, he could not perform such tasks and thanked the political leaders accompanying him for their support.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk