RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that first coal-based power project in Thar will become operational by the end of this year.

Speaking at a seminar on "Nationalism and Pakistaniat," organised by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the minister said that for the first time under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a genuine programme has been initiated to mine coal from Thar.

He said that first coal-based power project in Thar will become operational by the end of 2018. He said Thar coal is enough to generate 50,000MW of electricity for 400 years.

Iqbal, who is also holding the portfolio of Minister for Interior, stated that economic and security situation in the country has improved as much as compared to 2013. "Today, peace has returned to Karachi and investors have started making investments in the economic hub of the country," he said.

He emphasized the need for political and economic stability in the country, adding that in the past a military might of any country was considered to be guarantee of its stability and security. But in today's world it has to be a stable economy and the education which can guarantee stability and security of any country, he added.

Referring to the law and order in Balochistan, he said that security situation in the province has also improved and the government has taken a number of measures to address the sense of deprivation of the Baloch people.

He also gave credit to his party government for completing Kachhi canal project, saying that the project is irrigating 72,000 acres of land in Dera Bugti, Balochistan. He further said that full development of Gwadar Port will make Pakistan a hub of regional trade.

Addressing the seminar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Zubair Mahmood Hayat said that great nations remain connected to their history. He said that during the partition, around 8 million people migrated from India to Pakistan for the "ideology of Pakistan. "This history is our national pride," he said, adding that global think tanks are projecting Pakistan in top 20 nations in coming 10 years in the terms of national potential while they anticipate that Pakistan could be in top 10 nations in coming 30 years.

"I believe that Pakistan will get that position in the comity of nations which was dreamt by Allama Iqbal and for which the country was created by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah," he added.

He said that Pakistani people are being considered the most hardworking people of the world, adding that women of the country are also making tremendous contribution to the development of the country.

Referring to the potential of the Pakistani youth, he said although the political and military leadership are playing their part, yet it is Pakistani youth carrying the national flag.

Later, talking to reporters, Ahsan Iqbal strongly condemned the suicide attack at a police check-post in Lahore on Wednesday, saying that such cowardice activities of terrorists are showing their frustration.

He said that terrorists are taking last breaths and their futile attempts could not affect the sustainable socio-economic development in the country. He also paid rich tribute to those martyred in the attack, adding that police and other security agencies are endangering their lives to ensure safety of citizens.