PML-N doesn't resort to empty rhetoric but works for development: PM

BURHAN (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said on Wednesday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) does not resort to empty rhetoric but works for the development of Pakistan.

PM Abbasi addressed a ceremony in connection with inauguration of Burhan-Shah Maqsood section of Hazara Motorway.

In his speech, he criticised the political opponents of ruling PML-N and rhetorically questioned where was the due development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province as claimed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.

He mentioned that at least Rs34 billion were spent for motorway project and that ten million people would benefit of the project.

The premier asked skeptics of the ruling political party to identify any development project helmed by former dictator Pervez Musharraf or Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

PML-N does not resort to mudslinging but works for the people of Pakistan with attaching due respect to opponents, he said.

PM Abbasi claimed that effective policies of the ruling party have made Pakistan self-sufficient, overcoming energy crisis, until 2030. He further claimed that PML-N would win another tenure in the government in General Elections 2018 as the people would give the party, mandate to lead them.

Burhan-Shah Maqsood M2 inauguration

Hasan Abdal-Havelian Expressway (E-35), which was constructed with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) was inaugurated today.

The two institutions co-financed the construction of the expressway for a total amount of $327 million. ADB provided a $205 million loan as part of its flagship National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Program, while DFID provided a $121.6 million grant for the project.

The 47 kilometer segment, which is an important section of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been completed in less than three years. This is the second Motorway project in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa after M-I.

“The expressway will bring cost-effective transportation to millions of people in busy towns and deep valleys along the route,” said Xiaohong Yang, ADB Country Director for Pakistan. “It is an important step towards positioning Pakistan as a trading hub between Western and Central Asia by transforming adjoining towns and industrial zones into economic corridors.”

The new expressway is considered as the missing link in Pakistan’s transit route. It will link the northern mountainous region with existing north-south motorways to boost the connectivity within Pakistan and increase trade and commerce with the People’s Republic of China and other Central Asian countries.

"The expressway will connect Pakistan to its neighbors and important cities like Abbottabad, Haripur, and Northern region with the motorway network," said Joanna Reid, Head of DFID Pakistan. "UKAid is pleased to have helped the Government of Pakistan provide better, safer, and faster transport connectivity so women, men, and children can access opportunities, markets, and basic services and develop their local economies.”

E-35, which is 59 kilometers (km) long with the inaugurated portion covering 45.5 km of the total, connects the existing M1 at Burhan to Havelian. The new road runs almost parallel with the existing N35 highway, which has encountered roadblocks and safety hazards due to high traffic volume and poor road conditions. The expressway will substantially reduce the travel time and cost from Islamabad to Havelian and beyond.