CM spends busy day in China

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif left on a visit to China today. He will hold talks with Chinese authorities regarding progress on projects in energy, infrastructure, transport and other sectors.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, after a long journey from Islamabad to Shanghai today, did not take any rest and went straight from the airport to hold a meeting with the authorities of EXIM Bank of China.

The Chief Minister stressed upon EXIM Bank to give maximum concession in the rate of profit and terms of payment in the loans being given for development projects in Punjab. The bank authorities assured Chief Minister that there will be no delay in the provision of funds for development projects in Punjab. They also appreciated the personal efforts and keen interest being taken by the Chief Minister in the development of Punjab.

Talking at the airport before his departure for China, the Chief Minister said that Pak-China friendship has entered into a new phase. He said that that progress will be made on important projects during the visit. He said that darkness will be removed from the country with the cooperation of China. He appreciated cooperation of China in energy, infrastructure and transport sectors.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that governments of Pakistan and China are working speedily for the implementation of Chinese development package of 32 billion dollars for Pakistan.

He was talking to media at Shanghai Airport today. The Chief Minister said that government and people of Pakistan are thankful to China and highly value its historic development package for Pakistan. He said that China has supported Pakistan at every juncture of history and Pak-China friendship is unprecedented. He said that no serious efforts was made in the tenure of former government to transform Pak-China relations into economic cooperation whereas revival of economy and solution of energy crisis is the top priority of the present government and it is therefore, renewing its contacts with the friendly countries.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Chinese development package is reflective of the trust of China in Pakistani leadership. He said that no project aimed at economic rehabilitation can succeed without resolving of energy crisis therefore government is making all out efforts for attracting foreign investment in energy sector.

The Chief Minister said that he is ready to go anywhere to rid the people of Pakistan of load shedding. He said that joint ventures with China will be completed at the same pace at which metro bus and Nandipur projects have been executed.

In reply to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that a special cell has been set up at Chief Minister’s House for the implementation of the projects being completed with the cooperation of China and he is personally supervising this cell.