Development in Balochistan: President vows to foil foreign-backed attempts

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed that attempts by foreign-backed terrorists to obstruct development in Balochistan will be defeated at all costs, stressing that the province’s progress must continue despite security challenges.

Zardari made the remarks during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti at the President’s House, where he was briefed on the overall situation in the province and ongoing development initiatives.

The president said there was a need to ensure effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments to promote peace, development and public welfare in Balochistan.

He stressed that Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, deserved special attention and adequate resources to support its development.

Zardari said efforts by terrorists operating with foreign backing to create obstacles to Balochistan’s development would be thwarted at every cost.

He expressed confidence that terrorism would eventually be eliminated from the province, saying that the day was not far when Balochistan would be free from terrorism.

The meeting also focused on the province’s overall conditions and development activities currently underway.

Pakistan Peoples Party Women’s Wing President Faryal Talpur and former Balochistan minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri were also present during the meeting.