Textile industry is the backbone of national economy :Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that textile industry is the backbone of national economy and it will not be allowed to shut down. He said that due to personal interest taken by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the issue of supply of gas to textile industry was resolved last year and measures are being taken for supply of gas to textile industry in Punjab this year as well. He said that all out efforts will be made to meet the minimum needs of textile industry in winter during current year.

He was talking to a delegation of industrialists participating in Pakistan Textile Summit 2014 which met him at Model Town, here today. Federal Minister for Textile and Industry Abbas Khan Afridi, Provincial Minister for Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned authorities, former Chairman APTMA S.M Tanveer, Gohar Ijaz and a large number of industrialists associated with textile and garment sectors were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said that the issue of supply of gas to textile industry will be resolved through collective efforts and supply of gas will be continued for the industry like last year. Moreover, he said, steps will also be taken for the provision of electricity to the industry. He said that LNG will arrive in the country from the beginning of the next year and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has issued instructions for laying pipelines for the supply of LNG to Punjab. He said that short, medium and long term measures are being taken for coping with the energy crisis.

He said that an irreparable loss has been caused to the economy by sit-ins while power projects have also been delayed. He said that the elements staging sit-ins have shown their enmity to the nation by getting the visit of Chinese President postponed. He said that agreements of investment of billions of dollars have been reached with China in Beijing and these agreements would have been signed in Islamabad had the Chinese President come to Pakistan. He said that China will make total investment in these projects and not a single penny of loan is involved. He said that leadership has again supported to Pakistan at this difficult time. Shahbaz Sharif said that unfortunately, full benefit has not been taken of reliable friendship with China but now Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will come up to the confidence which has expressed by Chinese leadership. He said that a show is being staged in Islamabad in the name of sit-in but the nation will not allow anyone to hamper the projects signed with China.

He said that politics is not allowed on national interest and a message should be sent to the world that Pakistani nation is united over national interests. He said that collective efforts should be made for elimination of corruption, stability of economy and implementation of power projects. He said that unfortunately, some elements divided the nation for their personal interest and caused loss to the economy while rupee was also devalued. He said that those staging sit-ins have wastage the precious time of the nation, however, greater efforts will be made under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for making up this loss.

He said it is fact that national economy cannot be strengthened with borrowed technology and new products will have to be introduced. Shahbaz Sharif said that it is an age of competition and greater efforts will have to be made for moving along the other countries.

Federal Minister for Textile and Industry Abbas Khan Afridi said that the problems of the industry will be resolved and export will be increased to 26 billion dollars.

Chairman APTMA S.M. Tanvir while speaking on the occasion said that Chief Minister took personal interest and restored the supply of gas to the industry which resulted in increase in export. He thanked the Chief Minister for his assurance to resolve their problems. He said that sit-ins are destroying the industrial sector.

Gohar Ijaz expressed the hope that Chief Minister will continue to play his role for resolving the problems of the industry. The industrialists also congratulated Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the agreements of investment of billions of dollars signed with China.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that maximum resources are being utilized for elimination of polio and anti-polio campaign should be pursued as a movement. He said that no effort should be spared for saving the children against this deadly disease. He said that misbehavior or violence against polio workers is intolerable, therefore, complete security should be provided to them during anti-polio campaign.

He expressed these views while presiding over a high level meeting, here today which reviewed anti-polio campaign in the province.

The Chief Minister said that new generation will be provided a polio-free atmosphere at any cost and efforts are being made for eradication of polio with commitment and determination. He said that every member of the society will have to come forward and play his role for rooting out polio. He said that misbaviour with anti-polio teams securing the future of the nation will not be tolerated at any cost. He said that complete security should be provided to anti-polio teams and the security plan evolved for this purpose should be strictly implemented.

The Chief Minister said that no negligence will be tolerated with regard to eradication of polio and the concerned departments should perform their responsibilities through better coordination. He further directed that a vigorous public awareness campaign be launched against polio and training programme of polio workers be made more effective.

Shahbaz Sharif took notice of positive environmental samples in Rawalpindi and Lahore and said that all out measures should be taken in this regard and anti-polio campaign be continued on regular basis. Advisor on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police Punjab, Secretary Home, CCPO Lahore, Commissioner Lahore Division, DCO Lahore and concerned officers were present.