Network of motorways helps build new Pakistan, says PM

karachi — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the government’s focus on expansion of motorways network across the country had realised the dream of a developed and prosperous Pakistan.

“Today, the people are witnessing the emergence of a new Pakistan with improved infrastructure and communication network, and we have given reality to this dream,” the prime minister said in his address at the inauguration of 75-km-long section of Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway.

The premier said motorways were a lifeline of the country’s economy and were significant in enhancing national unity by reducing the distances among people belonging to different parts of country.

Sharif said his government was completely focusing on its agenda of development and progress, paying no heed to the negative politicking around.

“Building the nation is no way a child’s play and requires utmost dedication and hard work, which we are delivering,” he said.

Sharif said, “people of Pakistan can well distinguish the dedicated and selfless leaders from those who have wasted time of the nation by impeding development through protests.”

He said economy of a country depended a lot on comprehensive road network, however, he regretted that those who travelled in routine in chartered aircraft were most critical of construction of motorways and roads.

“Such people have no realisation about the importance of roads for common people including farmers, workers and students who daily travel through roads for jobs or education,” he said.

The premier said he was grateful to Allah Almighty as the country had embarked upon a new journey towards progress and prosperity.

He said the country will have a six-lane motorway from Karachi to Peshawar by 2019, boosting the national economy and generating millions of new jobs.

The prime minister said it was vital to make the communications links across the country better to help take the country forward as the pace of development cannot reach remote areas of the country without a good quality road network.

He said over 60 per cent work on the project was completed, while work was going on the remaining sections, including the service roads, interchanges and other infrastructure.

The prime minister said people of Pakistan were now witnessing the real creation of new Pakistan and said it was nothing but fulfillment of all the promises made by him in 2013. — APP