Islamic countries can launch joint ventures in the region :Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has said that Islamic countries of the region, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia should establish joint market for the promotion of mutual cooperation which will result in increasing production capacity of these countries and all the countries will benefit from the mutual cooperation. He said that setting up of modern slaughter house is a shining example of mutual cooperation between Punjab and Iran.

Similarly, Metro Bus Service Project is being completed speedily in the provincial metropolis with the cooperation of Turk companies. He said that Islamic countries can launch joint ventures in the region which will not only result in strengthening brotherly relations but the deprivations of the region can also be removed by benefitting from each other’s experiences. The Chief Minister said that Islamic countries can jointly achieve new goals of development in agriculture, industry and economic sectors. He said that Iran is a brotherly Islamic country of Pakistan which has supported it in every trial including earthquake, floods and other natural calamities. He thanked Iranian brethren for their assistance to flood affectees.

He said this during a meeting with Iranian delegation led by Chairman Imam Khomeni Relief Fund, Hossein Anvari, here today. Iranian Consul General Muhammad Hussain Bani Asadi, other members of Imam Khomeni Relief Fund, Provincial Minister for Zakat and Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran, MNA Pervez Malik, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Finance, Vice Chairman Punjab Investment Board, DG PDMA and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister while speaking to members of Iranian delegation said that deep cultural and religious relations exist between Iran and Pakistan and Iran has always supported Pakistan in every difficult hour as well as its political stance. He said that a mega project of modern slaughter house has been set up with the mutual cooperation of Iran and Punjab which is achieving its targets speedily. He said that this is the biggest economic project of cooperation between Punjab and Iran which will result in further strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries. While talking about the measures regarding empowering the youth, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Skills Development Programme is continuing successfully in the province under which thousands of male and female students are being trained in different skills. He said that through this programme of billions of rupees, the youth after becoming skilful will stand on their own feet and earn livelihood for their families.

He said that Iran and Punjab can cooperate and collaborate for making the youth skilful. He said that Punjab Educational Endowment Fund has been set up with ten billion rupees for providing education to the talented male and female students facing financial constraints, through which, scholarships have been given to 35 thousand students. Similarly, laptops have been distributed among more than one lakh talented male and female students free of cost on merit basis through which they will become IT experts and bring a revolution of IT technology in the province, he added. Shahbaz Sharif said that Imam Khomeni Relief Fund, Iranian Government and people helped Pakistani sisters and brethren open heartedly during flood for which we are thankful to them. Terming the visit of Iranian delegation a welcoming step, the Chief Minister said that it will help promote mutual cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. He said that such visits of delegations strengthen bilateral friendship and bring closer each other.

Expressing his views on this occasion, Chairman Imam Khomeni Relief Fund Hossein Anvari said that the friendship between Pakistan and Iran has further enhanced, however, there is a great scope for expanding bilateral relations. He said that both the countries can further promote trade, production and economic relations. Referring the relief activities of Imam Khomeni Relief Fund, he said that the foundation has helped Pakistani sisters and brethren marooned in flood wholeheartedly during previous flood. He said that 1500 houses were constructed for flood affectees, of which, more than 300 houses were distributed among flood affectees of Punjab province. He said that foundation is ready to help Pakistani brethren. He disclosed that small houses are being constructed with the cooperation of Pakistan government, Iranian government and people in flood-hit areas. He also apprised the Chief Minister of activities of Imam Khomeni Relief Fund for making the poor families financially strong and youths of deprived segment of the society skillful. Appreciating the programme of educational scholarship of Punjab government for talented students facing financial constraints, the Chairman said that the children of poor families are also getting quality education through this excellent programme. Chairman Imam Khomeni Relief Fund also extended invitation to the Chief Minister to visit Iran.