QUETTA, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday performed the earth breaking of Quetta-Zhob Road (N-50 Motorway) as part of western alignment of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Quetta.
The Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal, the federal and provincial ministers, member of provincial assemblies, and a large number of senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
The Quetta-Zhob Road (N-50 motorway) will link Quetta with Zhob passing through Kuchlak, Muslim Bagh and Qilla Saifullah reducing travelling time between Quetta and Dera Ismail Khan from 12 hours to 4 hours and uplifting socio-economic activity for local population particularly local businesses by providing access to minerals and mines and direct access to main markets.
The road will also facilitate speedy transportation of goods from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to sea port of Karachi.
N-50 being primary sub regional corridor running parallel to the western border connecting Afghanistan and Iran with Pakistan and vital connectivity of CPEC western alignment leading to Gwadar Port.
Separately, the prime minister also performed ground breaking of the state of art Balochistan Health Complex at Quetta as part of the Khushal Balochistan Programme.
PM Imran Khan along with Governor & CM Bln & key Federal ministers arrived at Quetta Cantt. COAS received PM at Army Aviation Base. PM will do earth breaking of Bln Health Complex & Quetta-Zhob Road N-50 as part of western alignment CPEC. PM will later today also visit Gwadar.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 29, 2019
While addressing the ground breaking ceremony, the prime minister said that the western route of CPEC will open Balochistan to a new era of progress, prosperity and connectivity.
Imran Khan said that we are planning a Quetta-Taftan railroad to connect Pakistan with Iran. He said that we are also considering a masterplan for Quetta to meet the challenges of urbanization including proper water management, sewerage lines, waste management and provision of other basic amenities.
The prime minister said that the Balochistan province requires a proper local government system. We must take the success of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and encourage devolution of power to the common man
“We are here to serve the people of Pakistan. Our agenda is one of national development. Our aim is to serve the citizens of this Country,” he said.