Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday accused foreign-backed elements of attempting to destabilise Balochistan through terrorism and violence, while reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to accelerating development projects aimed at transforming the province’s economic future.
Addressing the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister said hostile networks and extremist groups were working to undermine peace and stability in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, targeting innocent civilians and obstructing development efforts.
“Those involved in terrorism are receiving support and resources from hostile forces and are engaged in efforts to destabilise Pakistan,” Sharif said. He added that infiltrators and extremist elements were responsible for attacks on civilians, labourers and security personnel, while Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies continued to make sacrifices to protect the country.
The prime minister stressed that violence could not be justified under any circumstances and said attacks on workers and citizens were aimed at creating fear and slowing progress in the province. He noted that several labourers working on infrastructure projects in Balochistan had been targeted by militants, describing such incidents as attempts to derail development and prosperity.
Sharif said the government was pursuing a dual strategy of strengthening security while investing heavily in infrastructure, energy, education and economic development across Balochistan. He said the province’s progress remained a national priority and that federal development spending was being directed towards projects that could improve connectivity, create employment and expand economic opportunities.
PM Highlights PSDP Development Spending in Balochistan
The prime minister highlighted the federal government’s support for Balochistan through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), under which major infrastructure, transport, energy, education and social-sector schemes are being implemented across the province.
He said PSDP-funded projects were intended to address Balochistan’s longstanding development gaps and connect remote districts with national markets and economic centres. The federal government, he added, was focusing on roads, highways, energy supply, education facilities, agriculture support and other projects designed to improve public services and strengthen the provincial economy.
Sharif said development schemes under the PSDP would help improve road links between Balochistan’s districts, facilitate trade and reduce the isolation of communities in remote areas. He stressed that timely completion, transparency and effective monitoring were essential to ensure that the people of the province received the full benefit of federal development allocations.
The prime minister also said the federal government would continue supporting projects that could unlock Balochistan’s mineral, agricultural, coastal and trade potential. He linked the province’s development to national economic growth, saying that improved infrastructure and energy access would encourage investment and create opportunities for local communities.
Rs415bn Karachi–Chaman N-25 Highway Project
Highlighting major federal investments, Sharif said work was underway on the long-awaited Karachi–Chaman N-25 Highway, a Rs415 billion project being executed with federal funding.
He described the highway as a critical economic corridor that would improve connectivity between Karachi, Balochistan and the Chaman border area. The project is expected to support trade and commerce, improve the movement of passengers and goods, reduce travel times and strengthen links between major cities, districts and border markets.
The prime minister said the N-25 was particularly important for Balochistan because the highway would provide a stronger road network for businesses, farmers, traders and transporters. Better connectivity, he added, would help integrate the province with the rest of the country and support economic activity along the route.
He also stressed that the completion of major road projects would contribute to improved security and administration by making it easier for public institutions and law enforcement agencies to reach remote areas.
Gwadar Port and New International Airport
The prime minister underscored the strategic importance of Gwadar Port, calling it one of the region’s most significant deep-sea ports capable of handling large cargo vessels.
He said Gwadar had the potential to become a major centre for trade, logistics, shipping and regional connectivity. The port’s development, he added, could benefit not only Balochistan but also Pakistan’s wider economy by linking the country with regional and international markets.
Sharif also noted that the New Gwadar International Airport, gifted by China, would enhance regional connectivity and support economic activity in the coastal city. The airport is expected to improve access to Gwadar, facilitate passenger and cargo movement and strengthen the city’s role as a future commercial and investment hub.
He said the development of Gwadar required peace, stability and continued investment in supporting infrastructure. The federal government, he added, would continue working to ensure that the port and airport contributed to local employment, business activity and the broader development of Balochistan.
Rs70bn Solarisation Programme for 22,000 Tube Wells
Referring to the government’s efforts to support agriculture, Sharif said 22,000 agricultural tube wells in Balochistan were being converted to solar energy under a Rs70 billion initiative.
Under the project, the federal government is contributing Rs40 billion, while the remaining funding is being arranged through the agreed financing mechanism for the scheme. The initiative is expected to reduce energy costs for farmers, improve the reliability of irrigation and address longstanding concerns related to power shortages.
The prime minister said solarisation would provide farmers with a more affordable and dependable source of energy, helping them continue agricultural activity despite electricity supply challenges. He added that the project could support rural livelihoods, improve farm productivity and strengthen food security in the province.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, who also attended the workshop, thanked the federal government for its support and said the solar tube well initiative was delivering tangible benefits to the people of Balochistan.
Increased NFC Allocations and Federal Support
The prime minister further highlighted federal support provided to the province through increased allocations under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He said Balochistan’s share under the NFC framework had increased significantly compared with the province’s previous allocation, providing greater fiscal space for provincial development and public service delivery. The enhanced share, he added, reflected the federal government’s commitment to addressing Balochistan’s needs and reducing regional disparities.
Sharif said the NFC resources were important for financing education, healthcare, infrastructure, local development and other essential services. He stressed that the funds should be used efficiently, transparently and in a manner that directly benefits the people of the province.
The prime minister also said the federal government would continue cooperating with the provincial government to ensure that Balochistan received its due financial resources and that development projects were implemented effectively.
Education Initiatives, Scholarships and Danish Schools
Sharif also highlighted federal education initiatives in Balochistan, including educational scholarships, laptop schemes and the establishment of Danish Schools in nine districts of the province.
He said the Danish Schools were being established to provide quality education to students from underprivileged and remote areas. The institutions are intended to offer better educational facilities and create opportunities for talented students who may otherwise lack access to high-quality schooling.
The prime minister said scholarships would help students from Balochistan pursue higher education and professional studies, while laptop schemes would enable young people to access digital learning, research and employment opportunities.
He stressed that investment in education was essential for the province’s long-term stability and prosperity. According to him, young people must be equipped with knowledge, skills and technology so they can play a leading role in Balochistan’s economic development.
Balochistan’s Mineral and Economic Potential
Sharif said Balochistan’s vast mineral wealth and strategic location could transform the province into a major economic hub, but warned that development required peace, stability and collective efforts to defeat forces seeking to create unrest.
“Balochistan is rich in resources and possesses immense potential, but those who seek to spread violence want to prevent the province from benefiting from these opportunities,” he said.
The prime minister said the province’s mineral resources, coastline, agricultural land and proximity to regional markets offered significant opportunities for investment and industrial growth. He added that responsible development of these resources could generate employment, increase provincial revenues and improve living standards.
However, he cautioned that insecurity, terrorism and attacks on workers could discourage investment and delay development projects. He said the government would continue working with security institutions, the provincial administration and local communities to protect development schemes and ensure that economic activity continued.
Security and Development Must Move Together
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan’s future prosperity was linked to Balochistan’s progress and pledged continued federal support for development initiatives across the province.
He said security and development were closely connected and that neither could be achieved in isolation. While security forces were working to eliminate terrorist networks, the government was pursuing development projects to address poverty, unemployment, weak infrastructure and limited access to public services.
Sharif called on political leaders, tribal elders and citizens to work together against terrorism and support efforts aimed at bringing lasting peace and economic growth to the region.
He said the people of Balochistan had suffered from violence and underdevelopment for too long and deserved equal access to education, healthcare, energy, roads, employment and economic opportunities.
The prime minister assured the participants that the federal government would continue supporting Balochistan through PSDP projects, NFC resources, education programmes, energy initiatives and major infrastructure schemes. He said the government would remain focused on completing ongoing projects and launching further initiatives to ensure that the province’s resources and strategic position translated into practical benefits for its people.
