GUJRANWALA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that equal development in all provinces is the priority of his government because he is working for progress of the nation.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first phase of the Nandipur Thermal Power Project on Saturday, he said his government would start uplift projects not only in areas where the PML-N received a majority of votes, but also in those parts of the country where people did not vote for his party.

He said the government was working to overcome the power crisis, but other sectors were also not being neglected, citing proposed projects like Lahore-Karachi Motorway and upgradation of Gwadar city.

Mr Sharif said Rs40 billion had been released for purchase of land for Diamer Bhasha Dam, which would provide water for agriculture and generate 4,500MW of cheap electricity. Dasu Dam on the Indus River was also a priority of his government, he added.

Mr Sharif said he laid the foundation stone of a 1,320MW thermal power project in Sahiwal, 1,320MW power project in Port Qasim, besides other projects, recently.

He said the Neelam-Jhelum hydel power project would be completed soon, but regretted that due to negligence of the quarters concerned its cost had gone up from Rs84bn to Rs275bn.

The prime minister said that Rs55bn had been released for the purchase of land for the Lahore-Karachi Motorway.

He expressed his commitment to make Gwadar a free port like Dubai and Singapore, construct an international airport there and develop the city like Karachi and Lahore.

He criticised those who were agitating and wondered whether they were protesting against progress of the country. He asked them to join hands with the government and contribute to the development of the country.

He said the budget would look after the interests of farmers and industrialists because both were very important for national economy.

He praised Chinese and Pakistani engineers and workers on completion of the project in record time.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2014