ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday emphasised that unity among Pakistan’s provinces was essential to uphold the true spirit of federalism and ensure national progress.
He made these remarks while addressing the Balochistan Workshop in Islamabad, where he reflected on the province’s long-standing challenges and the importance of collective national responsibility.
Recalling the 2009 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award negotiations, the prime minister said all four provincial chief ministers, along with their finance ministers, had held marathon sessions in Lahore to finalise a fair financial formula.
He noted that then-Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani had conditioned his approval of the NFC Award on a 100 percent increase in Balochistan’s financial share.
“I told him Punjab was ready to contribute whatever amount was required to meet Balochistan’s demand. That, I believe, is the true spirit of a federation — four brothers living under one roof,” PM Shehbaz said.
The premier highlighted that while Balochistan’s problems persisted, they could only be addressed through mutual trust and shared purpose. “Baloch, Pashtun, and all communities living in Balochistan must feel not only ownership of Pakistan but also active participation in its economic growth,” he said.
He reminded the audience that Balochistan had “voluntarily joined Pakistan,” a gesture he described as one of the most honourable chapters in history.
The prime minister lamented that the province’s immense natural wealth — “worth trillions of dollars” — remained largely untapped due to decades of neglect and poor governance.
Shehbaz Sharif also reflected on the social harmony that once prevailed among Baloch, Pashtuns, Punjabis, and other ethnic groups in the province. “We are Pakistanis first, and only then Baloch, Punjabis, Sindhis or Pashtuns,” he remarked, adding that divisions and grievances had emerged despite the eradication of terrorism by 2018.
He further spoke about the government’s decision earlier this year to divert savings from reduced oil prices toward the reconstruction of the N-25 highway — infamously known as the “khooni road” due to frequent accidents.
“Instead of giving temporary relief in fuel prices, I chose to use the Rs180 billion annual savings to rebuild this highway as a road of peace,” he explained.
The prime minister concluded by urging all provinces to embrace harmony and cooperation, stressing that “Pakistan can overcome its challenges only when we move forward as one united federation.”
