Extremism has severely affected Pakistan: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that that scourge of extremism has severely affected Pakistan, the conditions are gravely serious, while the country is stuck in a whirlwind. He said that Pakistan has sacrificed more than 40 thousand lives in the war against terrorism and it is the need of the hour for the international community to realize the problems and challenges being faced by the country.

He was talking to a Member of Scottish Parliament Hanzala Malik, here today. Various matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations came under discussion during the meeting. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that we would have to look for the fundamental causes in order to uproot extremism. He said that factors like unemployment, economic deprivation and injustice compel the people towards extremism. He said, unfortunately, despite playing a leading role in war against terrorism and rendering maximum sacrifices for the last one decade the international community still makes unjust demands to Pakistan. He said that Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N is against any such foreign aid which negatively impacts Pakistan’s dignity and sovereignty. He said that under this policy, Punjab government has not accepted any foreign aid against national honour for the last one and a half years, as we are desirous of trade not aid. The Chief Minister said that his recent visit to Turkey, Germany and Britain remained highly successful and foreign investors have expressed their interest in investment in Punjab after reviewing conducive atmosphere and facilities being provided to the investors by the provincial government. He said, in this connection, an energy road show is being held in Istanbul tomorrow on October 17, the objectives of which is to incentivize Turkish companies to make investment in energy related projects in Punjab. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is taking all out steps for the progress and prosperity of the people, and development projects are being expeditiously completed throughout the province.

On this occasion, Member Scottish Parliament Hanzala Malik appreciated the policies of Punjab government and said that Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has laid network of development projects throughout the province and, by working day and night, is ensuring their completion. He said Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has given lot of encouragement and incentives to the younger generation, due to which the youth now has its real identity in the society. He said Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has taken revolutionary steps in education, health and other social development sectors, which ought to be followed by other provincial governments of the country.