QUETTA / GWADAR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government is working to link Gwadar Port with other parts of the country through roads bec­ause it would play a vital role in the future development, especially in Balochistan.

Addressing a ceremony in Hoshab, about 90km from Turbat, on Wednesday after inaugurating the M-8, he said landlocked Central Asian states wanted to use Pakistan’s road network to reach open seas for doing trade with the world.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Balochis­tan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri and former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch were also present on the occasion.

The Rs13 billion Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Road (M-8) is part of the China-Pakistan Eco­nomic Corridor (CPEC). It will link other parts of the country with Quetta and Sindh. He said that the 193km road would connect western, central and eastern routes of the CPEC with Gwadar Port.

Prime minister inaugurates Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab motorway

The completion of the Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Road, he added, had proved that his government was committed to bringing progress and prosperity to Balochistan and to connect it with the entire region.

The prime minister said the construction of CPEC, motorways and national high­ways would bring Balochistan on a par with other provinces.

“My government is paying special attention to development of Balochistan which depends on road networks. Prosperity of the province was a dream which is now going to be true.”

He said besides roads, his government had focused on development of other sectors in the province.

“I salute those who sacrificed their lives while working on road projects which will connect Balochistan to the CPEC and other parts of the country.”

These projects, he said, would link southern areas with northern areas of the country and boost economic and business activities.

The prime minister than­ked the army chief for taking special interest in restoration of peace in Balochistan, thereby helping in timely completion of road projects.

He praised Director General of the Frontier Works Organisation, Maj Gen Mohammad Afzal, and his team for completing the Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab project in time despite the bad law and order situation.

The FWO chief said that M-8 and other roads would connect Quetta with Gwadar and Afghanistan through Chaman.

Among others who atten­ded the function were Natio­nal Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua and Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2016