NewsMarch 16 , 2017
No comment on Panama case: Nawaz
Terms speculation about reserved verdict tantamount to disrespecting judicial system; says he is focusing on country’s development; 52 countries want to join CPEC; Rs25 bn master plan approved for GwadarGWADAR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has maintained that his attention is fully focused on economic activities and executing development plans for the country and for the reason he wouldn’t involve himself in offering comment about judicial matters.
Talking to small group of media persons here on Wednesday, he reminded that forecasting, commenting or speculating about a verdict of judiciary that has been reserved by the learned court would be detrimental to the esteem of the judiciary. When his attention was drawn towards a speculative news item about the judgment of the apex court and its aftermath in the Panama Papers case, the prime minister termed it another sort of rumour mongering and said that the government of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) believes in serving the masses as against the foul mouthing by certain disgruntled elements.
Earlier, chairing a high-level meeting on Gwadar's development, Prime Minister Nawaz directed to complete all development projects in Gwadar at the earliest. He said the government will allocate an ample amount in the upcoming budget for construction and expansion of dams in Gwadar and its adjoining areas to overcome the water shortage.
Director General Gwadar Development Authority Dr Sajjad Baloch briefed the prime minister on the Gwadar Master Plan, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, 300 MWs coal power plant and other development activities in the area. The prime minister said that Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan were facing a high degree of backwardness and the PML-N government has made efforts to bring the province at par with other developed parts of the country. He said that unprecedented development projects and especially the network of roads and motorways has been constructed in the province that would bring about a revolution in the life of the people of the province. He said that the development and progress of Pakistan was attached with development in Balochistan.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction that 52 countries had shown keen interest in becoming part of CPEC. The government has decided to build a new railway line adjacent to the economic corridor and for the purpose Gwadar will be linked with Quetta in the first place and it will be connected with country-wide network and later with Jacobabad. The rupees 25 billion master plan is likely to be completed through indigenous sources and for preparation of a long term master plan, services of Chinese experts would be hired.
The prime minister was warmly received by Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri when he arrived in Pasni on a two-day visit to Balochistan. Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal were also accompanying the prime minister. The prime minister came from Pasni by road to see the standard of the roads concluded under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The prime minister expressed satisfaction about the standard of the road. He drove about 150 kilometers in 75 minutes and said that the area he had seen was full of opportunities. It was the first time that Prime Minister Nawaz traveled by road this long after CPEC's initiation. National flags were fluttering in the whole of Gwadar and coloured pictures of Nawaz Sharif were displayed on both sides of the road as he entered the town.
Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, federal ministers Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, retired General Abdul Qadir Baloch were accompanying the premier. He was received by Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Waseem Akram on arrival in Gwadar. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address a public meeting today (Thursday) on the second day of his visit to Gwadar. He chaired a high echelon meeting on Gwadar's development soon after reaching here and later chaired a meeting of the provincial cabinet and members of the provincial assembly. The prime minister visited the coast of the Arabian Sea.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday advised against indulging in speculation about the possible court verdict in the Panama Papers case. Passing any comments on the matter would be tantamount to disrespecting the court, he said, adding that everyone was going to see the judgment soon.
In an informal talk with journalists on reaching Gwadar, the prime minister said his government was focusing on improving the economy and the country’s development. “We want to see a progressive and developed country,” Nawaz noted. Later, the prime minister chaired a meeting, which lasted for three and a half hours, to review the ongoing and future development projects.
The meeting approved a Rs25 billion master plan of Gwadar. The participants were informed that 52 countries had so far approached Pakistan to join the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Under CPEC, the city would be connected with other parts of the country through rail. In this connection, a railway line from Gwadar to Quetta would be established and also linked to Jacobabad.
The prime minister said there were great opportunities of development in Gwadar, Pasni and other parts of Balochistan. He said the government will allocate an ample amount in the upcoming budget for construction and expansion of dams in Gwadar and its adjoining areas to overcome the water shortage.
He said the government has put the country on the path of prosperity and development by adopting business friendly policies and hard work. He said as a result of investor-friendly policies of the present government, various reputable international investors and companies have shown keen interest in exploring business and investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Nawaz reached Pasni in an aircraft and then travelled to Gwadar on the newly-built 136-km Pasni-Gwadar Road to personally inspect the quality of development work. This section is part of the Makran Coastal Highway.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
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