Focus should not be diverted from progress: PM Nawaz

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stressed that focus should not be diverted from Pakistan’s progress.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the restored Zairat Residency of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the prime minister sent a message to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri: “Is this not a long march that the country’s civil and military leadership are celebrating Independence Day together."

During his address Prime Minister Shairf urged leaders of the long marches to pay attention to public issues. He said that for Pakistan to be on a positive path it was essential that political leaders contribute positively towards politics.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the restored Ziarat Residency of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah which was destroyed by terrorists last year.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and other dignitaries.

#ShukriyaPakistan: Renovation Ziarat residency. Our national resolve unmatchable by terrorists.Efforts to damage Pak will fail. Proud moment

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 14, 2014

The treasured national monument, a rest house used by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his last days, was burnt to ashes when militants carried out bomb attacks on June 14/15 midnight, 2013.

The Balochistan government vowed reconstruction of the Residency to its original shape from its own resources. The work started in April 2014 and was completed in a record four months.

The Ziarat Residency is spread over 8000 square feet. Established by English Colonial rulers in 1861, the residency served as a resting place for the founding father of the nation. Located in the mountainous Ziarat valley, the residency is surrounded by thousands years old ancient juniper trees.