QUETTA, Aug 05 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Friday said law and order situation has improved considerably in Balochistan and attributed it to the security forces, the government and above all the courageous and conscientious people of the province who rejected false and negative propaganda against the State.
He was addressing a ceremony held in connection with Muhammad Ali Jinnah Open Shooting Championship 2016.
The President said the people of Balochistan were loyal and patriot and pointed that the false, baseless and negative propaganda against the state launched by some elements has been dismissed by them.
He said all conspiracies against the state by a handful of elements have been foiled in collaboration with the masses.
Appreciating the results of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the President said that the operation had paved the way for bringing durable peace to the country. He also appreciated the role of Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies in the combing operations and actions against anti-peace elements.
He said the entire world has appreciated Pakistan’s resolve and the sacrifices rendered to rid the country of terrorism.
He expressed the hope that the nation would be celebrating its independence day with a new zeal and vigour and said with each passing year, the country gets more prosperous, developed and stronger than before.
Referring to the reservation by some political parties over the route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the President said there would be no change in the route of the Corridor. He said unwarranted comments against the project need to be avoided, as it was not beneficial for the country.
CPEC projects will be implemented as per their original design and Balochistan will be a major beneficiary. He said that CPEC would prove a game changer of the century which would put the country on track of development, progress and prosperity. He emphasized the need to reject false propaganda against the CPEC.
He said that after completion of CPEC, Pakistan would become an important country of the region as Afghanistan, Iran, India, Middle East and other countries would benefit from it.
“The heads of Central Asian states have told me that they want connectivity of their countries with CPEC,” he said.
The President said that several power generation plants were also part of the CPEC. He said that load shedding would be overcome by 2018.
Commenting on corruption, President Mamnoon Hussain said that society should boycott the elements indulged in financial corruption and said corrupt elements have damaged the interests of the country.
He said by the year 1970 the pace of development in the country was satisfactory, however later owing to corruption, the pace of progress was hampered. He urged every person to play his part in helping rid the country of corruption by discouraging those indulging in such practices.
He stressed the need for promoting education, particularly equipping girls with education. “I have recommended to the Education Minster to handover teaching process of all primary schools to lady teachers,” he said.
He appreciated the Balochistan government and the Pakistan Army for holding the shooting competition. He said indulgence of youth in healthy activities was beneficial for the country and would help thwart the designs of enemies of the state.
Commander Southern Command Lt General Amir Riaz said youth were the future of the country. He said the brave and patriot people of Balochistan have stood united and foiled all attempts to create rift.
He said Balochistan, owing to its geographic location has been a target of enemies of the country, but the people of Pakistan, along with the armed forces of the country would never let any such attempt materialize.
Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Sana Ullah Khan Zehri, Speaker Balochistan Assembly Raheela Hameed Durrani and provincial ministers attended the event.
