ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his government’scommitment to uplift Balochistan to make it at par with developed parts ofthe country.

Addressing the ceremony after laying the foundation stone of Naya PakistanHousing Scheme in Quetta on Sunday, the Prime Minister said the plunderingof the country by the two political parties has caused severe harm to it.

He said the country will develop when the weak segments of the society arecared for by the state. He said no nation can progress unless corruptelements are brought to justice. Corruption is the main cause of thedeprivation of various areas in the country.

Imran Khan said state of Madina is our role model to cater to the needs ofweak and poor segments of society. He said success underpinning the stateof Madina was its golden principles of welfare and compassion. He said ourfounding fathers had also envisioned a welfare state based on the state ofMadina.

The Prime Minister said the program of 5 million housing units aims atproviding shelter to common people who could not afford it due to theirweaker financial position. He said in Pakistan people are only able tobuild homes if they have money. He said the salaried class is not able tohave home due to limited income.

The Prime Minister said in other countries the people who take mortgage tobuild homes is quite high in comparison with Pakistan. He said a law willbe introduced for introducing mortgage in Pakistan. He said State Bank ofPakistan is also encouraging commercial banks to disburse more housingloans to consumers. He said many foreign investors have expressed interestto invest in housing sector of Pakistan.

Imran Khan said more opportunities will be created for youth as they willbe able to start construction companies to benefit from the housing boom.He said 40 industries are allied with construction industry. The PrimeMinister urged the youth to start their own businesses and becomeentrepreneurs rather than looking at the government for jobs.

Emphasizing the importance of a Master Plan for Quetta city, he said thebasic civic services can be ensured only when the cities are planned andorganized. He said need of the hour is construction of high rise buildingsto save green patches.

Prime Minister while addressing the Baloch youth said they are the futureof our country.

Earlier, Federal Secretary Housing and Works Dr. Imran Zeb Khan whilehighlighting the project said it is part of vision of Prime Minister ImranKhan. He said Balochistan Chief Minister will supervise the project. Hesaid Pakistan lacks 12 million housing units. He said draft bill of NayaPakistan Housing Authority has been created and will be presented beforethe parliament for approval.

He said a draft bill of related legislation has also been created forapproval by parliament. He foundation stone of 110,000 housing units isbeing laid down in Balochistan today. He said the project is a jointcollaboration of federal and provincial governments. He said PakistanHousing Authority will immediately start housing units at Kuchlak. TheSecretary said Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation will build3500 units at Wahdat Colony in Quetta. He said in Gwadar, 54000 housingunits will be for federal, provincial and local government employees, whilean equal number of housing units will be for fishermen.

Earlier, a delegation of Hazara community called on Prime Minister ImranKhan in Quetta.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister condoled with the delegation onmartyrdom of their dears and nears during the recent deadly bomb blast inQuetta.

He also offered Fateha for those martyred in the tragic incident and prayedfor early recovery of the people wounded in the bomb explosion.