The Prime Minister sought to reacquaint the nation with the enduring yet fragile political consensus formed by its foundational bargains (Catchline)
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday placed national unity and provincial harmony at the forefront of the nation’s agenda, framing the country’s stability as dependent on a spirit of mutual sacrifice and fraternal bonds.
Addressing a gathering at a workshop focused on the development and integration of Balochistan, the Prime Minister delved into the complex fabric of the federation, seeking to remind the nation of the compromises that have historically held it together.
He pointedly reflected on the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic history, noting that it was secured through a “historic sacrifice” by Punjab, the country’s most populous province. This, he suggested, was a testament to the kind of consensus-building he believed was the very foundation of a strong Pakistan.
Moving beyond provincial identities, he asserted a primacy of national belonging, telling the audience, “We are Pakistanis first and inhabitants of a province second.” The Prime Minister’s message of unity was delivered against a backdrop of renewed security concerns.
The PM raised a stark alarm over what he described as a disturbing resurgence of militant violence, acknowledging that while the menace of terrorism had been largely eradicated by the sacrifices up to 2018, it was now “rearing its head again in Balochistan and other areas.”
In a solemn tribute, he honored the nation’s security forces, who he said “sacrifice their lives every day for peace,” recognizing the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Turning his focus back to Balochistan, he made a concerted effort to extend a hand of kinship, insisting that the people of the province are “our brothers” and must be included as equal partners in the nation’s journey toward progress.
The Prime Minister then posed a critical, introspective question to the nation: “What are the reasons that lead to insecurity?” This query seemed to acknowledge that the challenges were not solely military, but rooted in deeper socio-political grievances. Expressing a determined vision, he spoke of a desire to transform the “bloody road into a road of peace,” suggesting a future where the route from Balochistan to Peshawar could become a corridor of development and connection.
