“The disparities in Pakistan – where one area is less developed than another – will all be covered up. We have a stake in this country, and we will work hard to contribute to its success,” he said.

“The ‘Azadi’ march is (taking place) here in Balochistan. The civil and military leadership is together here celebrating Independence Day. What can be a bigger march than this?” he said.

“This tradition should continue. The people of Pakistan are watching this and getting inspired,” he said.

Addressing Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch, the premier promised that Balochistan would also be a major part of this journey.

The premier was speaking at the reopening ceremony of the Ziarat residency — the rest house used by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during his final days. The rest house has been fully reconstructed and restored after militants burnt to ashes in rocket and arson attacks in June last year.

The entire wooden structure gutted and articles used by the Quaid-i-Azam and kept on display reduced to ashes.

After the incident, the federal government and many businessmen and other persons offered to provide funds for restoration of the residency, but Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch announced that the work would be carried out by the Balochistan government from its own resources.

The restoration of the building cost over Rs140 million and the work was completed in four months.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the restored residency of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Ziarat and hoisted the national flag there.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was also present on the occasion.

The governor and chief minister of Balochistan, provincial ministers, military officials and senior bureaucrats attended the ceremony.

PM's Bannu visit postponed

Prime Minister Sharif's visit to Bannu which was scheduled for today to celebrate Independence Day with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan was postponed.

It was earlier announced that the premier was going to celebrate August 14 in Bannu with the displaced from North Waziristan.

The cause of the postponement is not known.