Chines &IMF delegations call on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: A delegation of IMF called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Steps for enhancing resources for public welfare and reforms in tax system were discussed during the meeting. Speaking

on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that providing relief and improving living standard of common man is one of the priorities of the government. He said that Punjab government is spending every penny on the welfare of the people by considering it a trust. He said that government has saved resources of billions of rupees of the province and these are being spent for improving the living standard of resource-less segments.

The Chief Minister said that reforms are being introduced in tax system for increasing resources so that maximum resources could be spent on the development of education, health and other social sectors. Referring to the development strategy of the province, Shahbaz Sharif said that a solid strategy has been adopted for rapid development of the province. He said that besides creating new job opportunities, targets have been fixed for enhancing GDP of the province and speedy steps are being taken for achieving these goals. He said that more than 60 percent population of the country consists of youth and Punjab government is taking revolutionary steps for their empowerment and a target has been fixed for making 20 lakh youth skillful during next three years. He said that thousands of youth have been provided respectable jobs through Punjab Skill Development Company so far. It has been decided to further expand the scope of skill development programme, he added.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is providing 50 thousand vehicles to youth on merit for providing honourable jobs to them. He said that low-cost housing scheme has been launched for low-income families.

Referring to energy crisis, the Chief Minister said that solar, coal, hydel and LNG power stations are being set up for coping with energy crisis. He said that Punjab government has decided to generate 1000 megawatt electricity through LNG in the province whereas federal government will set up projects of 3600 megawatt through LNG. He said that a state-of-the-art forensic lab has been established in Punjab. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is taking revolutionary steps for speedy development of education, health and social sectors whereas facilities are being provided to investors for promotion of investment in various sectors on priority basis. He said that a modern apparel park is being set up for the promotion of textile and garments industry.

Similarly, special attention has been paid to the improvement of infrastructure in the province and metro bus projects have been launched for organizing transport system on modern lines, he added. He said that more than one and a half lakh people are benefiting from Lahore metro bus project daily. He said that Rawalpindi metro bus project is in the final stages of completion whereas the foundation stone of metro bus project will soon be laid in Multan, district of South Punjab. He said that Punjab government is planning to establish special economic zone and set up a new city and preliminary preparations have been started in this regard. He said that balance in expenditures and resources is very essential and Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive strategy in this regard. Speaking on the occasion, the IMF delegation appreciated the steps of Punjab government taken for public welfare and increasing resources.

The delegation of IMF led by Dr. Masood Ahmad met Punjab Chief Minister. Mission Chief and Resident representative of IMF for Pakistan were also present on the occasion. Provincial Minister for Finance Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Members Assembly Rana Sanaullah, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned secretaries were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile,a high level Chinese delegation met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Matters regarding increasing cooperation in various sectors were discussed during the meeting. Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that best friendly relations exist between Pakistan and China. He said that China has fully supported Pakistan in every hour of trial and the cooperation of China in the development of Pakistan is commendable. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, sweeter than honey, stronger than steel and deeper than oceans. He said that China has proved to be a sincere friend by providing cooperation in the development of different sectors of Pakistan. He said that the hearts of the people of Pakistan and China beat together.

The Chief Minister said that friendly ties of Pakistan and China are converting into useful economic relations and new vistas of cooperation are opening in various sectors. He said that the year 2015 is being celebrated as the beginning of Pak-China economic cooperation due to which Pak-China friendship will enter into a new era. Shahbaz Sharif said that China has made tremendous progress through hard work and struggle and become a big economic power of the world. He said that speedy progress of China is a role model for international community. He said that Pak-China friendship is exemplary and people of both the countries have deep respect for each other. He said that Pak-China friendship is strengthening with the passage of time.

The Chief Minister said that everlasting friendship exists between Pakistan and China and new era of cooperation has been started in all sectors between both the countries. He told that Punjab government has completed the biggest and first 100 megawatt solar project of Pakistan speedily at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and it will soon start generation of electricity. The Chief Minister said that a number of Chinese companies are investing in Pakistan particularly Punjab and relations between Pakistan and China are touching new heights. He expressed willingness to further promote cooperation with China in various sectors.

Provincial Ministers Sher Ali Khan, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Commercial Consular of Pakistani Embassy in China, MPA Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Federal Secretary Planning & Development, Chairman Planning & Development and other senior officials were present on the occasion.