QUETTA: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will play a vital role in the development and prosperity of Balochistan and there has been no change in the western route of the project.

Speaking at a function arranged here on Tuesday in connection with the birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam, he said that with the completion of CPEC, Pakistan would become the economic hub of the region.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamed Khan Achakzai and civil and military officers attended the function.

Dispelling a perception that some changes had been made in the western route, the president said the government was trying its best to ensure that the entire country enjoyed benefits of the project.

He said the hard and difficult days of Balochistan were now over and a bright future was awaiting the people of the province.

The president asked the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission to launch maritime, trade and shipping courses so that local people could benefit from the project.

He also asked the National University of Modern Languages to set up its campus in Gwadar to teach the Chinese language and said he had allocated an appropriate amount from the budget of the President’s House for the purpose and work had been initiated in this regard.

The president said that the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism had brought a positive outcome and generated economic activities.

He said a large number of people from Balochistan had played an active role in raising awareness about the Pakistan Movement.

For this reason, he said, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had delightfully stated ‘Well done Balochistan’ on the success in Quetta’s local bodies’ elections and on the role of local students.

He said the Quaid-i-Azam was impressed by the passion and fervour of the Baloch people for the Pakistan Movement and called them ‘Brave Baloch boys’.

The president said the Quaid had also termed Balochistan a gem which, if polished well, would dazzle the world with its glow.

He said that Quaid’s prediction seven decades back was now being realised through CPEC.

Governor Achakzai said the Quaid-i-Azam was a man of principles and his determination and continuous struggle had helped him create a country for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

He said the Quaid-i-Azam had close relations with the people of Balochistan and he also respected difference of opinion to promote democracy.

On the occasion, tableaux, national and folk songs were presented by children to pay tribute to the founder of the nation.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2016