| Imran Khan reiterates national determination to eliminate remnants of terrorists | says Balochistan’s true potential must be realized through comprehensive national effort | Announces 15% salary increase for officers, Frontier Corps men and Rangers

No act of terror can deter a nation from moving forward: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Nushki, Balochistan on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister of Balochistan, the Governor, Federal and Provincial Ministers accompanied the Prime Minister.

“A detailed briefing was given to the Prime Minister on the security situation in the area,” said a press release issued by the Interservice Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). In his interaction with the troops, Prime Minister Imran Khan paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families for their ultimate sacrifices for Pakistan. The Prime Minister commended the professionalism shown by the troops and appreciated the operational readiness and bravery with which the terrorist attacks were repelled.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated the national determination to support the armed forces in eliminating the remnants of terrorists who are trying to sabotage the development of Balochistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Through a comprehensive national effort, cooperation between federal and provincial governments and the assistance of the armed forces, we will realize the true potential of Baluchistan.”

Later, the Prime Minister interacted with the tribal elders in the region and acknowledged their unwavering support in fighting terrorism and facilitating government initiatives taken to bring prosperity and development to Balochistan. He assured the Jirga members of their sincere and continued support for the timely completion of the development projects in Balochistan. The Prime Minister also stressed that the development of Balochistan is a priority and essential for the future of Pakistan.

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan also announced a 15% increase for officers and men of the Frontier Corps and Rangers.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the nation of Pakistan is very resilient and strong and no act of terror can deter them from moving forward.

Addressing the officers and jawans of the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers, the Prime Minister pledged to give an appropriate response to the terrorists who were trying in vain to impede the pace of progress, especially in Balochistan.

Imran Khan accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Fawad Hussain Chaudhry and Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed addressed the assembly.

The prime minister’s visit comes days after the armed forces foiled two attempts by terrorist groups in Noushki, Panjgur and Kech. According to the ISPR, 20 terrorists were killed during the operation in Noushki and Panjgur.

Imran Khan said that no other army had faced unprecedented challenges due to acts of terrorism, following the war in Afghanistan.

He said the Pakistani military excels in its professionalism and has helped rid Pakistan of terrorism.

The prime minister said he was shocked to learn of the terrorist attacks in Balochistan and wanted to stand with his troops who were waging a jihad against the terrorists. “Not only me, but also the whole nation stands with our Jawans.”

The prime minister said he came to Noushki especially to express solidarity on behalf of compatriots with the country’s armed forces. He observed that in the war against terrorism, armed forces and law enforcement have fought with such bravery that it has never happened in the world.

With their bravery and sacrifice, they protected the country from terrorists, he added.

He said that everyone who sacrificed their life has a special place in heaven and pointed out that martyrs hold the second highest place, after prophets. He said it was an honor for Muslims to lay down their lives for their country.

The Prime Minister has announced a 15% raise for FC and Rangers officers and men.

The Prime Minister said the entire nation firmly believes in the ability of its forces to counter any terrorist threat.

“The whole nation is convinced that terrorists cannot cause any harm to the country,” he said.

The country’s forces had restored peace to the country after waging a war against terrorism. The Prime Minister said that the current government is spending heavily on the uprising of Baluchistan province with a number of mega development projects which have never been undertaken by a democratic government in the past.

Mentioning the construction of the Chaman-Quetta and Karachi highway as the “biggest project” to transform people’s lives and conditions in the province, the prime minister said the government has already allocated funds for the project.

He decided that more funds would be allocated for the development of the province in the future, as the government was fully focused on alleviating the backwardness of certain areas, including the former tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.

The prime minister said the government is determined to bring vast development to the province in the coming days so that no outside power will manage to mislead the people to destabilize the country.

The next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would greatly benefit the people of Balochistan as it would bring industrialization, materialize the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and technology transfer in the agricultural sector to help boost the country’s productivity.

He said China has helped Pakistan to increase agricultural yields and expressed his belief that Pakistan will soon become an agricultural crop exporting country.

Referring to rising global prices, the Prime Minister said it had affected every country in the world, even strong economies like the US and UK, experiencing the highest inflation after 40 years .

The Prime Minister said that the government is aware of the problems faced by the working class due to rising prices, therefore, the government is fully focused on measures to ease their lives.

Oil prices have risen around the world, which has also had an impact on the prices of related products, he said.

The prime minister, however, said that as government revenues were increased, they would increase salaries for employees.

About the 100 largest companies in the country made about 950 billion rupees in profit last year and he asked them to raise the salaries of their employees, he added.