Nawaz Sharif Applauds National Leadership for Strengthening Pakistan's International Profile
Former prime minister and president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday extended high praise to the country's top leadership for their efforts in bolstering Pakistan's standing on the global stage. During a meeting of the Gilgit-Baltistan parliamentary board, he specifically highlighted the contributions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, describing their roles as historic in improving the nation's international reputation, including positive shifts in the perception of the Pakistani passport.
Commitment to Development and Governance in Gilgit-Baltistan
Nawaz Sharif emphasized that his party has consistently delivered in both governance and national defense, pointing to development initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan as a testament to this commitment. He detailed a significant Rs60 billion road project in the region, which has drastically reduced travel times and enhanced connectivity for local communities. He stressed that such infrastructure developments are fundamental rights of citizens, not mere favors, and reiterated the party's focus on performance-driven politics over empty rhetoric. Calling for unified national efforts, he urged continued progress and development across the country.
Equal Importance of Gilgit-Baltistan and Resource Assurance
The PML-N leader affirmed that both Punjab and the federal government are at the forefront of development drives, while underscoring that Gilgit-Baltistan holds equal significance alongside other provinces like Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. He assured that any funding gaps for Gilgit-Baltistan would be promptly addressed, pledging to personally oversee resource allocation in coordination with the prime minister. Citing the transformative impact of key projects, he mentioned the Lowari Tunnel as an example, noting it has cut travel duration in certain areas from 24 hours to just 10 hours.
Criticism of Governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Nawaz Sharif also pointed to ongoing development initiatives in Islamabad and Punjab, suggesting that other provinces could emulate similar models for growth. He encouraged local governments to boost their own revenue generation to complement federal support. In a critical tone, he questioned the governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking whether residents have access to free medicines and quality public transport, and if they have experienced tangible relief despite years under the same administration.
