People 'in mountains' must realize India is misguiding them: Zardari

JAFFARABAD: Former President and Co-chairman Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that Balochistan has vast investment opportunities and the locals should benefit from it, ARY News reported.

The former president attended a ceremony to observe the 50^th death anniversary of veteran politician and Pakistan movement worker Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali.

Special arrangements were made in honour of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Addressing a public gathering, Asif Ali Zardari said that Balochistan enjoys a great strategic importance.

“I give you my words that you people have a bright future for number of reasons being rich in natural resources, biggest province in the country, and having geographical importance in the region”, he said.

He went on saying that the province, in recent years, has witnessed insurgency and bloodshed as some people have taken up arms and moved to mountains. He urged them to benefit from the ongoing development projects.

“Those who are in mountains should know that India is misguiding them and the insurgency has only resulted in deaths of loved ones”, he added.

Shedding light on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the former president has said some people have misunderstandings on it. Adding that the CPEC projects are for the entire country and people of Balochistan must benefit from it.

Raising his voice for Indian Muslims and their rights, the former president has said that rights of Muslims are being violated in India while state atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir has now become a routine affair.

He declared Balochistan the most fertile province of the country but said that it requires the proper usage of water by vowing to construct canals. He said some friends inquired him through what sources he would bring water in the province, “I will bring it from central Asia”, he added.

He concluded his speech by thanking the local people for their hospitality and arrangements that were made in his honour.