Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday called for national self-accountability over the decades-long neglect of Balochistan, saying that Pakistan’s largest province by area holds immense natural wealth and cultural heritage that has yet to be fully realised.
Speaking at an event during his visit to the province, the prime minister said that Baloch leaders had voluntarily joined Pakistan, and since then, Balochistan had stood as a symbol of unity and resilience.
“Allah has blessed Balochistan with countless natural resources, yet it is unfortunate that much of its wealth still lies buried beneath the ground,” he said, adding that the province’s vast geography has made development difficult, particularly in providing electricity and road access to remote regions.
Announcing a major infrastructure initiative, the premier said that the Karachi–Chaman Highway, long notorious for deadly accidents, would be upgraded to a dual carriageway at an estimated cost of Rs350 billion. “We want to turn this bloody road into a road of peace,” he declared.
PM Shehbaz praised the hospitality and cultural richness of the Baloch people, saying that their traditions and resilience made the province a vital part of Pakistan’s national identity.
Recalling Punjab’s sacrifice in the 2010 NFC Award, the prime minister said true federalism requires mutual trust and brotherhood among provinces. “All provinces are part of one family. We are Pakistanis first, and residents of our provinces later,” he said.
He expressed confidence that unity, love, and collective determination could lead Pakistan toward progress from Balochistan to Peshawar, and paid tribute to the security forces for their sacrifices in maintaining peace across the country.
