PM Shehbaz addresses NA as session to mull budget

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday affirmed the government’s commitment to contribute to the development of all provinces.

He made the remarks on the floor of the National Assembly on Saturday, a day after the federal budget for FY27 was proposed.

He began his speech by noting that he would not give a “detailed response” to the criticism voiced by Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, but at an “appropriate time”.

After the NA proceedings began at 11am, Achakzai had spoken mostly on the country’s law and order situation. He had also criticised the government’s decision to freeze the development allocations for the provinces, contending that it would hit their health and social sectors.

Noting that all MNAs were immensely respectable and the legislature was akin to a “house”, PM Shehbaz said, “Each one can have their politics and vision, but one thing that this House will always attest to is that we are here if Pakistan is.”

“There is no difference of opinion on this,” he affirmed, recalling Achakzai’s assertion that the provinces had the right to their financial resources.

Recalling various projects that had been carried out in Balochistan, the premier said, “You did not demand this, nor did someone else. But as the prime minister of Pakistan, it is my responsibility to do my best so that all four provinces are at the same level in the race to progress.”

He added, “If this will be our collective desire and practical attempt, then this is among the possibilities.”

The premier highlighted the “shares of the people of Balochistan” in the Reko Diq project and the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in which the province’s share was doubled.

The prime minister remarked he was saying this not to rub it in, but just to remind that even a house cannot function without financial and social justice”.

He also recalled the distribution of solar panels to the farmers of Balochistan, adding, “This is a tale of brotherhood.” He went on to mention a road being constructed from Chaman to Gwadar.

Addressing Achakzai, PM Shehbaz said, “You spoke about the armed forces in your speech.”

He recalled that 22 army officers and personnel were martyred in the recent helicopter crash in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting the “terrorism ongoing day and night in Balochistan”, the premier said such activities were being “provided technical support” by certain actors.

The prime minister said: “The Durand Line you spoke about — it is your opinion and we respect it — but I think that it was an absolutely appropriate move if that line was put up for the security of Pakistan and its people.

“If the billions of rupees spent on that 2,000-km line save the life of even one child, then I think that the entire money was spent the right way.”

PM Shehbaz also mentioned the surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the sacrifices given by soldiers while defending their homeland.

“If we do not respect our martyrs, what will the world say? Keep the world aside, what will their orphaned children [say]?” he remarked.

The prime minister recalled past amicable interactions with Achakzai in the “good old days”, emphasising the importance of unity within a nation.

The premier then reiterated his offer to the opposition for talks and a charter of democracy.

More to follow