PM Shahbaz Sharif's Fiery Speech in National Assembly | Budget 2026 | Public News

With your permission, in this Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, delivered a speech which we all listened to very carefully. I will not give a detailed response to it right now. Whatever he said, God willing, I will present some remarks about it at an appropriate time. But I wish to say a few things here. First of all, Mr. Speaker, the members present in this Assembly come from all over Pakistan. They all deserve the utmost respect. This Assembly is like a home, where individuals from all four provinces have been elected and gathered. Here we must strengthen Pakistan, elevate its honor and prestige, and address any fractures in mutual relationships. Everyone has their own politics and their own ideas, but on one point, this Assembly, under your leadership, Mr. Speaker, will continuously testify that if Pakistan exists, then all of us exist. If Pakistan exists, then this Assembly exists. And for that, no sacrifice is too great. Now, the Leader of the Opposition mentioned that the provinces' resources and means are their right—there is no doubt about that, no disagreement. Take the example of REEQ's fund, read its document. Mr. Speaker, that fund was created with full consultation of Balochistan, and the shares of Balochistan's people are not a hidden secret; they are before everyone. I believe that REEQ's own shares and the shares of the people of the provinces are a shining example. Not only that, the 2010 NFC Award, Mr. Speaker, is an award in Pakistan's history in which Balochistan—a beautiful province with a proud people, whether Baloch, Pashtun, or others—saw its share increased by 100%, which continues to this day. And this was not a favor to the people of Balochistan. All four provinces, especially Punjab, contributed their share. Even today, I am proud that Punjab contributed what I recall was 11 billion rupees annually. In 2026 terms, if you multiply that, it exceeds 100 billion rupees. This is not a favor. If there are four brothers and one piece of bread, all four will share it. If God gives them two loaves each, they will share them happily and pray for more. Mr. Speaker, Sindh also contributed, but Punjab's contribution was the greatest. I am not saying this to brag, but to remind that when a household runs, the head must ensure economic justice, otherwise the household cannot function. Similarly, for running a country, I believe this is how it works. Just two or three years ago—and the Leader of the Opposition knows this well—our farmer brothers in Balochistan were given solar panels, costing 75 billion rupees, with the federal government bearing 50% of the expenses. Mr. Speaker, this is a form of sacrifice and fraternity. I will conclude this point here. Regarding the road from Gwadar to Chaman, where Mr. Achakzai's home is, the highway being built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is of motorway standard. Over 300 billion rupees are being spent entirely by the federal government. Mr. Speaker, Mehmood Khan did not demand this; he may have had a wish, but he did not demand it. No one else demanded it. But as Prime Minister of Pakistan, it is my responsibility to do everything within human capability so that the four provinces progress equally. This is not possible overnight, but if we have a collective desire and practical effort, Mr. Speaker, it is entirely possible. The world has many such examples. Mr. Speaker, I will say that in your speech, you also mentioned the security forces of Pakistan. Just three days ago, Mr. Speaker, 22 of our army officers and soldiers were martyred in a helicopter crash due to a technical failure. Among them were two of our Christian brothers. Day and night, terrorism is occurring in Balochistan, and everyone knows whose hand is at work—the hand of the Kharijites, proven with evidence. Mr. Speaker, they are being provided with resources and technical assistance, and daily acts of terrorism take place somewhere. Regarding the Durand Line that you mentioned, that is your personal opinion, and we respect it. However, for the security of Pakistan and the protection of its people, if a fence was erected there, I believe it was an entirely appropriate and correct step. Even if it saves the life of one child from terrorism, I believe the billions of rupees spent on that 2000-kilometer fence are fully justified. And in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where terrorism occurs day and night, Mr. Speaker, the law enforcement agencies, police, and civil armed forces are bravely confronting those terrorists. Our jawans and officers are being martyred. Mr. Speaker, I humbly submit that the children of these martyrs—their parents tell their children or wives or parents: 'Mother, I am going today. If I do not return, take care of these children.' Mr. Speaker, those officers and soldiers who are martyred orphan their own children but protect millions of other children from becoming orphans. I believe we must collectively honor these sacrifices. Not just honor them, but fully respect and esteem them. If we do not honor our martyrs today, what will the world say about Pakistan? Leave the world aside—their orphaned children, who do not yet know that three days ago, when we attended their funerals, those little children don't know that their fathers have departed from this world. Allah has exalted the rank of martyrs in the Holy Quran. They don't know where their fathers have gone, and how they will face the hardships of life. Mr. Speaker, this is a painful story that we must fully acknowledge. If, God forbid, we neglect this, future generations will not forgive us. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I will say that you mentioned that you used to come to Kot on personal visits—that is your home, you are always welcome. But you are aware that I am not saying this for the first time: whenever I went to Kot in good times, I would first inquire about him and visit his home. I would call him myself and say I want to come and have tea with him. I believe this is not about scoring points; it is not a favor. This is how communities unite, love and affection flourish, and the spirit of sacrifice emerges. Mr. Speaker, I believe that in this context, you are looking at me with great intensity — but I have great respect for you in my heart. I will step forward. You should also come. Come to your home. [Laughter] Through gestures, I see you saying: 'I am standing here out of compulsion, or I want to come.' [Laughter] I will not take anyone's name. You also step forward, sir. I will not take anyone's name. Khan Sir, I am ready. I am ready. I will step forward; you should also come. Come to your home. [Laughter] Four, not four. My relationship with him is like that of brothers. [Laughter] It's a brotherly relationship. Through gestures, I see him saying: 'I am standing here out of compulsion, or I want to come.' [Laughter] Khan Sir, I have the utmost respect for you. Mr. Speaker is sitting here. He is looking at me very intently. But in my heart, I have great respect for him, Mr. Speaker. From the heart. And Advocate Sir is also sitting—my heart holds him dear. And our friend from Multan is also here. They are all our brothers, Mr. Speaker. This is not a conflict; it is about promoting the constitution, law, and democracy. At that time, I said not once—these are all witnesses; the pages of history bear witness; your record bears witness—that I, as Leader of the Opposition, said not once but many times: 'Come toward the Charter of Democracy. Come toward the Charter of the Constitution.' But my goodwill offers were rejected with contempt. Nevertheless, as they say, it is never too late. I am ready for dialogue. Thank you very much.