ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the people of Pakistan had wholeheartedly accepted the government’s decision of passing on the benefits of declining international petroleum prices towards development of Balochistan province.
This initiative aims to transform the previously dangerous “bloody track” – which has claimed over 2,000 lives – into a safe, international-standard highway, marking a significant milestone in the development of Balochistan and national connectivity, the prime minister said while addressing an event here after performing the groundbreaking of the Jinnah Square Murree Road Underpass project.
He emphasized that the dualization of the N-25 highway, linking Chaman, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar and Karachi was not just a road project, it was a gift to the people of Balochistan, adding that this highway will be at par with national motorways, ensuring safety, better transportation, and economic uplift for the region.
He recalled that when the foundation was laid in 2022-23, the estimated cost was Rs 214 billion, but due to rising expenses, the revised cost had now exceeded Rs 300 billion. The project is expected to be completed within two years, he added.
“This road will become a road to development and progress, connecting the underserved regions of Balochistan to the economic hub of Karachi. It reflects our vision for equitable development across all provinces,” the prime minister emphasized.
The prime minister noted that only few people who were opposing this decision were in fact close minded and were not sincere to the people of Balochistan. “Equal development of all the provinces is important for the overall development of the country.”
As regards the underpass project in Islamabad, the prime minister said that due to the team work of the city management under the leadership of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, traffic flow had streamlined in the city.
“I congratulate the interior minister for doing extensive work to beautify Islamabad and to ease the traffic flow in the city,” he said and directed to further boost up their efforts in this regard.
He said that he fully believed in the assurance given by the interior minister who had earlier announced that the project would be completed within 35 days instead of 60 days.
The prime minister pointed out that due to the efforts of the government economic team, the macroeconomic indicators had significantly improved and the recent improvement in Pakistan’s rating by Fitch rating agency reflected the government’s achievements.
Current account
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s current account surplus of $1.2 billion in March 2025 which was the highest in history.
In a statement here, the prime minister termed the current account surplus a reflection of a stabilizing economy.
The prime minister said, “Thanks God, the current account surplus was $1.85 billion in the first 9 months of this fiscal year. The recent positive economic indicators are a reflection of the right direction of government policies.”
The prime minister attributed the current account surplus to record remittances, increasing exports and the tireless efforts of the government’s economic team. “We are striving for sustainable development of the country’s economy,” he said.
No polio case
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Thursday that as a result of the dedicated nationwide anti-polio campaigns, not a single case of polio had been reported in the country since February 10, 2025.
Chairing the review meeting on Polio eradication here, the prime minister commended the efforts of relevant government institutions, international organizations, and partners to make Pakistan polio-free.
He directed the relevant authorities to ensure awareness and community mobilization regarding the anti-polio campaign across the country.
“It must be ensured that every child under five years of age is administered the polio vaccine during the anti-polio campaign starting from April 21,” he added.
He emphasized that alongside the campaign, nationwide routine immunization for protection against other dangerous diseases should also be fully ensured.
“Despite challenging conditions, the workers participating in the anti-polio campaign are playing a frontline role in the fight against this disease, the prime minister said adding that the entire nation, including himself was proud of the hardworking polio workers.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about the upcoming anti-polio campaign from April 21 to April 27, during which 4.5 million children will be administered the polio vaccine.
A total of 415,000 polio workers will participate in this nationwide campaign. The meeting was further informed that, as per the prime minister’s instructions, third-party validation of the campaign will be completed from April 28 to April 30.
Moreover, the cold chain tracking of the anti-polio campaigns is being monitored under a digital system.
Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Polio Ayesha Raza Farooq, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal, Chief Secretaries of all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, representatives of international partners, and other senior relevant officials attended the meeting.
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