ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the southwestern city of Quetta on Thursday, where he is scheduled to meet the provincial leadership of Balochistan and inaugurate development projects during his daylong visit, according to an official statement.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has long faced militant violence linked to a separatist insurgency, although there has been a decline in such incidents in recent months following intelligence-based operations by security forces.

The improved situation has also been acknowledged by local think tanks and research organizations, with some linking the decline in militant attacks to Pakistan’s decision to shut its border with Afghanistan after skirmishes in October last year.

Pakistani authorities have frequently accused Afghan officials of sheltering militant factions and facilitating cross-border attacks, an allegation denied by Kabul.

"Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Quetta on a one-day visit," said a statement circulated by his office. "He was received by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and members of parliament on his arrival."

"A one-on-one meeting between the prime minister and the governor of Balochistan will be held at the Governor House in Quetta," it added. "Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail will brief the prime minister on ongoing development projects in the province and the latest situation."

Sharif will also have a meeting with the chief minister and members of the provincial cabinet before inaugurating sections of the N-25 Karachi-to-Chaman highway and the Danish Schools project.

The N-25 highway is a key transport artery linking Balochistan with Pakistan’s commercial hub Karachi, while Danish Schools are part of a federal initiative aimed at providing quality education to students from underprivileged backgrounds.