Danish Minister calls on CM Punjab

Lahore: Danish Minister for International Development and Cooperation Christian Friis Bach called on Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here today. Matters of mutual interest and cooperation in education, energy and other sectors were discussed in the meeting. Ambassador of Denmark in Pakistan Jasper Moller Sorensen, Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Minister for Energy Sher Ali Khan, Minister for Industries, Muhammad Shafique, Secretary Women Development Department and other concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

Talking to the Danish Minister, the Chief Minister expressed desire for promotion of cooperation with Denmark in education, energy and other sectors. He said that there is a vast scope of launching energy projects from hydle, biomass and coal in Punjab. He said that Denmark should consider launching of joint ventures in the sector of hydle power generation.

He said that Pakistan does not want aid but partnership and trade with international community. He said that Pakistan is facing serious energy crisis and shortage of electricity has affected all sector. He said that gas reserves in Pakistan are depleting. He said that Muslim League-N government is making sincere efforts for resolving energy problem.

He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has paid circular debt of 480 billion rupees in energy sector while an indiscriminate crackdown against electricity and gas thieves is continuing. He said that a solar park is being set up in Punjab which will produce 1000 megawatt electricity.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistan’s economy has been severely damaged by terrorism. He said that peace is essential for strengthening of economy and national development. He said that present government decided to hold dialogue with Taliban in the larger national interest and took all political parties in confidence. He said that drone attacks have undermined the efforts for peace and are against the sovereignty and survival of Pakistan.

He said that present government wants to put an end to bloodshed by giving a chance to peace. He said that education is an effective weapon against terrorism. He said that revolutionary reforms have been introduced in education sector in Punjab and the ratio of enrolment has considerably increased in schools due to government efforts. He said that more than 50 thousand poor but talented students are continuing their academic pursuits through education endowment fund.

He said that skills development programme is continuing successfully with the cooperation of UK Department for International Development. He said that thousands of youth have been imparted vocational training to enable them earn their living in a respectable manner. The Chief Minister welcomed the cooperation of Denmark in granting GSP Plus status to Pakistan in European Union.

The Minister for international development of Denmark said that his country wants to promote cooperation with Pakistan in education, energy, trade and other sectors. He said that it is a matter of satisfaction that there is a stable democratic system in Pakistan. He appreciated the services of Pak Army in peace force under UN. He said that Danish government appreciates economic reforms and the steps taken for expanding tax net in Pakistan.