Pak-China friendship is deeper than oceans:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and China are trusted friends and Pak-China friendship is deeper than oceans, higher than Himalayas and sweeter than honey. He said that economic relations between the two countries are improving with the passage of time. He said that signing of a memorandum of understanding between Punjab government and Chinese Company NORINCO is a welcome step which will further accelerate the pace of progress in the province. He said that experience and expertise of NORINCO International will be fully utilized in energy, transport, infrastructure and other sectors for the strengthening of provincial economy. He said that cooperation with the Chinese company NORINCO will be promoted in various sectors without wasting any time.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while talking to a high level Chinese delegation led by Chairman NORINCO International and Vice President NORINCO Group Wang Yitong during a meeting.

Provincial Minister for School Education and Tourism Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Managing Director Metro Bus Authority, Secretary Finance, Secretary Communication & Works, Secretary Transport, Director General LDA, President NORINCO International Hu Farong, Vice President NORINCO International Wang Xiaobing and other senior officials of the company were also present on the occasion.

Talking to the Chinese delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pak-China friendship has stood the test of time. He said that there are longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and Pakistani people highly value the love and sincerity of Chinese government and people. He said that he is pleased that in response to the invitation of Punjab government, a delegation of Chinese Company NORINCO International has immediately come to Lahore so that cooperation between Punjab and Chinese company could be promoted in various sectors. He said that a number of Chinese companies are working with the Punjab government and construction of Arfa Karim Information Technology Software Park on Ferozepur Road is a glorious example of Pak-China friendship. He said that solar lamps given to boy and girl students on merit by the Muslim League-N government in its last tenure were also purchased from a Chinese company.

He said that with the grace of Allah, people have given a historic mandate to PML-N in the general elections. He said that PML-N has always played a positive role in the promotion of Pak-China relations. He said that talks were held with NORINCO in 2009 for underground train system in Lahore but this project could not be completed as the former federal government did not give sovereign guarantee. He said that Punjab government initiated metro bus project with the cooperation of Turkey for providing modern and comfortable transport facilities to the masses and the 27-km long metro track was completed in a short period of 11 months. He said that number of passengers travelling by metro buses has increased the figure of 1.5 lakh daily which is a proof of the success of the project.

He said that every moment of Pakistani nation is precious and public welfare projects will be executed without any delay. He said that rapid progress will be made towards cooperation with NORINCO International in various sectors as it will accelerate the pace of development in Punjab. The Chief Minister also set up special task force for promoting cooperation between Punjab and NORINCO International which will take speedy measures for this purpose.

Chairman NORINCO International Wang Yitong congratulated Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on taking over as the chief minister Punjab. He said that Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is a visionary leader and expressed the hope that economy of Punjab will make rapid progress during the next five years. He said that metro bus project is a glorious project of Shahbaz Sharif who has surprised everyone by completing this project in a very short period. He said that cooperation with Punjab government in energy, transport, infrastructure and other sectors will be promoted. Chairman NORINCO International also invited Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to visit China.