Pakistan is facing serious challenges of energy shortage and terrorism

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is facing serious challenges like energy shortage and terrorism but the government is determined to overcome all these problems. He said that the challenges being confronted by the country can be countered through collective wisdom, hard work and joint efforts. He said that a conducive atmosphere has been created in the province for investment and all out facilities are being provided to local and foreign investors under one-roof. He invited Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry to invest in Punjab and assured that maximum facilities and security would be provided.

He was talking to President Overseas Investors of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) Kimihide Ando and Vice President Asad Jaffar who met him here today. Provincial Minister for Industry Muhammad Shafique, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Finance and Industries, Vice Chairman Punjab Investment Board and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. It was agreed in the meeting that Punjab government and OICCI would cooperate in energy and other sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that peace is essential for promotion of trade and economic activities in the province and Punjab government is taking all possible measures for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the province. He said that there are vast opportunities of investment in energy and other sectors in Punjab and investment by OICCI in energy and other sectors would be welcomed.

He said that promotion of social, economic and industrial activities is linked with production of electricity. He said that Punjab government is working on generation of electricity from coal, solar, biomass and biogas. He said that OICCI should come forward for promotion of cooperation in energy sector and assured that all out facilities and incentives would be extended to the investors. He said that a solar park is being set up over eleven thousand acres in Punjab. He said that work is also in progress over coal- based energy projects at Gaddani and Port Qasim while LNG is also being imported for overcoming energy crisis.

Shahbaz Sharif said that OICCI should hold energy conference in Islamabad on energy requirements of Pakistan and power projects. He said that tough decisions have been taken to put the national economy on the right track. He said that effective measures have been taken for capacity-building of government institutions. He said that development projects are being completed expeditiously in the province and transparency has been the hallmark of Punjab government during last five years.

President OICCI Kimihide Ando said that Pakistani government is moving in the right direction to overcome the problems being faced by the country and is making sincere efforts in this regard. He expressed the hope that PML-N government will succeed in resolving the problems of the country. He said that metro bus project is a splendid public welfare project of Punjab government and OICCI is interested in promoting cooperation with Punjab government in various sectors. He also expressed the desire for investment in energy sector in Pakistan