QUETTA: Senior Minister and Balochistan PML-N chief Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri has alleged that India has been financing a separatist movement in the province and expressed fear that a ‘superpower’ and some other neighbouring countries may also extend financial support to it if the Gwadar port is made operational.

Talking to reporters at his official residence here, he said the Gwadar port had great geo-political importance and making it operational might affect the business of some other ports in the region.

“India is involved in financing separatists’ movement in Balochistan and a superpower and some neighbouring countries may contribute in efforts to destabilise Pakistan by creating more unrest in the province if the deep-sea port of Gwadar is made operational,” he said.

However, the new port would greatly boost the economy of the region by increasing trade activities through an economic corridor for China, Central Asian states, Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said.

“Gwadar port will boost our national economy and create job opportunities for thousands of youths in Balochistan.”

He said he would fully back Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch in measures to be taken for restoration of peace. “Progress and prosperity cannot be achieved until peace is restored in Balochistan,” he said.

He said the PML-N would observe a ‘martyrs’ day’ at Anjira, Khuzdar, on April 17 and hold a condolence reference for his son Mir Sikandar Jan Zehri and other members of his family who had died in various attacks.