Pakistan, June 1 -- QUETTA - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a massive Rs250 billion federal package for Balochistan on Saturday, aimed at addressing the province's development needs and infrastructure gaps. Speaking at a grand jirga in Quetta, he promised swift action and transparent use of funds.

Out of the total, Rs70 billion will go to a solarisation project to improve energy access in remote areas, while Rs150 billion has been allocated for the construction of National Highway N25. The funds will be drawn from savings generated by a drop in global petroleum prices, the prime minister said.

Sharif emphasized that 25% of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) - worth Rs1 trillion - has been dedicated to Balochistan th...