CM Punjab gives Lahore Key to Chinese Ambassador

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that historic investment package of 32 billion dollars by China will usher in a new era of progress and development in Pakistan as its economy will strengthen and lakhs of new job opportunities will be created. He said that Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel. He said that implementation of the massive investment package of China for Pakistan would further strengthen the bonds of friendship and trade relations between the two countries. He said that the recent visit to China has proved to be a milestone in strategic and economic cooperation between China and Pakistan.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while addressing a function arranged in honour of Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong regarding the historic investment package announced during the visit to China, here today. The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the Chinese Ambassador for his invaluable contributions for the success of the visit to China and also presented him the key of Lahore city as a gift.

The Chief Minister said that China is a sincere and trustworthy friend of Pakistan and has stood by it in every moment of need. He said that China has also helped Pakistan and its people in the times of crises including earthquake, flood or any other natural calamity. He said that China has supported the stance of Pakistan at every international forum and the friendship with China has stood the test of time.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistani nation is proud of its deep friendly ties with China. He said that China has played a laudable role in the development of different sectors in Pakistan and various mega projects including Heavy Mechanical Complex, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant and Karakorum Highway are glorious examples of strong friendly relations between China and Pakistan. He said that Pakistan would be rid of load-shedding and darkness and put on the road to progress and development with the cooperation of China. He said the expectations of Chinese government and people of Pakistan would be fulfilled. He said that Pak-China relations are entering into a new phase and touching greater heights. He said that time has come to change the course of history with the cooperation of China. He said that the goal of national development and progress would be achieved through the skill and expertise of China. Shahbaz Sharif said that his recent visit to China was the most successful tour of his entire political career and the announcement of the investment package of 32 billion dollars for the next seven years is a big achievement.

He said that Chinese leadership has won the hearts of Pakistani people by assuring fullest cooperation for the construction of economic corridor and energy and infrastructure projects. He said that this visit was indeed a milestone in the implementation of development vision of the leaderships of the two counties. He said that Pakistan considers China as its most reliable friend and it was the first country to recognize China as a sovereign state. He said that China has also supported Pakistan in defense sector.

The Chief Minister said that Pak-China friendship which is based on love and sincerity is strengthening with the passage of time and the hospitality and affection shown to him during the visit to China is unforgettable. He said that the trust reposed by Chinese government and leadership in President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and provincial leadership would be honoured. He said that it is time to change the course of history. He said that Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong played a key role in the success of the visit.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong while speaking on the occasion said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has played a highly significant role in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and China and he is very active in setting the course of Pak-China development cooperation. He also thanked the Chief Minister for holding an impressive function in his honour. He said that Pak-China relations have been given a boost and China is ready to help Pakistan become an Asian Tiger.

He said that collective efforts of the two countries would translate the dreams into reality. He said that construction of economic corridor is a very important project which would provide trade corridors to several countries. He said that cooperation in energy, transport and infrastructure sectors would also result in increase in the volume of trade between the two countries. He said that three working groups have been formed for the speedy implementation of the projects.

Appreciating the leadership qualities of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Chinese Ambassador said Shahbaz Sharif during his visit to China worked very hard and achieved a lot. He said that Shahbaz Sharif’s speed of work is unbelievable and people of China have deep affiliation with him. He said that China is deeply impressed with Shahbaz Sharif’s speed of development activities. The Chief Minister also hosted a luncheon in honour of Chinese Ambassador.

Speaker Punjab Assembly, former federal minister, Shaukat Tareen, Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, provincial secretaries, heads of development agencies, industrialists as well as columnists were also present on the occasion.

Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong while speaking at a function held in his honour paid rich tributes to the performance and speed of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in the execution of public welfare projects and said that the way uplift projects have been completed in the province under the dynamic leadership of Shahbaz Sharif is wonderful. He said that Shahbaz Sharif’s speed of work is unbelievable and China is also impressed with it.