A glorious journey of development starts with the cooperation of China: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the favour of China which gave a historic economic package of 46 billion dollars to Pakistan can never be forgotten. He said that this historic package of 46 billion dollars given by Chinese President, Prime Minister and  leadership is not a great gift for any unit of the country but for 18 crore people of Pakistan which will enhance national solidarity, brotherhood and unity. He said that the day of 20^th April is of historic importance for Pakistan which can change the course of lives of nations and such days are rare in the lives of nations.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while addressing a press conference regarding the agreements made during the visit of Chinese President to Pakistan, here today.

The Chief Minister said that the historic day of 20^th April is a beginning of new journey of development and prosperity of Pakistani nation. He said that 17 years ago, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made Pakistan an atomic power and its defense invincible and the credit of organizing Pakistan’s economy on sound foundations is also going to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the entire nation on the historic package of investment of 46 billion dollars. He expressed the hope that the fate of the national economy will change due to Chinese investment and Pakistan will certainly get its lost status.

He said that we will have to march forward by adopting golden principles of hard work, trust and honesty for this purpose. Shahbaz Sharif said that if the entire nation is determined then any mountain, ocean and river cannot create hurdle in achieving this goal. He said that every effort will be made for the implementation of agreements made during the visit of Chinese President and completion of projects. He said that Pakistan will be made an Islamic welfare state in the real sense according to the ideals of founding fathers.

He said that a glorious journey of development and prosperity has started with the cooperation of China and its end will also be great. He said that work will be carried out on war footing for timely completion of projects. He said that Chinese banks have financed Chinese investment of billions of dollars. He said that complete monitoring of the projects will be carried out and it will be implemented speedily.

Shahbaz Sharif said, no doubt, April 20 is the most important day in the history of Pakistan and the economic package of 46 billion dollars is the result of our round the clock efforts, upon which, political colleagues and entire nation deserve appreciation. He said that Chinese leadership has also acknowledged openly that present government has worked day and night for giving practical shape to these agreements and its credit goes to leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and political and administrative team whose untiring efforts have brought fruit.

The Chief Minister said that China has not given such a big economic package to any country of the world. He said that China has no oil and gas but this is its hard earned money which it has given to a friendly country Pakistan for making it stand on its own feet and achieve economic stability. He said that China has not announced such a big investment in any country so far and the entire nation has achieved this honor under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Shahbaz Sharif said that China has helped us in a difficult time and now it is our responsibility that we should benefit from this investment and work round the clock for strengthening the country economically. He said that we will not compromise on transparency for implementing these agreements as such historic occasions do not come again and again. He said that the entire government machinery will work with determination, honesty and hard work for giving practical shape to these agreements.

The Chief Minister said that 10400 megawatt energy projects are being executed in entire Pakistan under Pak-China Economic Corridor, out of which, 1320 megawatt coal based energy projects in Sahiwal, 1000 megawatt solar power projects at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur while 300 megawatt energy projects will be executed through indigenous coal at Salt Range which will cost 4.2 billion dollars. He said that a total of 2620 megawatt electricity will be generated while China has made agreements of 20 billion dollars only in energy sector.

He said that with the cooperation of China, round the clock efforts will be made for completing energy projects as energy is required for the development of agriculture and industrial sectors. He said that due to these steps, economy of the country will strengthen and lakhs of opportunities of employment will be generated, import and export will increase, poverty will be reduced and we will be able to compete with our neighbor country in economic field.

He said that energy and only energy is our first priority and PML-N government is taking every necessary step for steering the country out of darkness. He said that April 20 is the day of joy for the entire nation and we should thank Almighty Allah.

The Chief Minister said that we have got a unique opportunity to changing the destiny of the country and the nation which is also a test and we will not waste it at any cost. Shahbaz Sharif said that Saudi Arabia is also a very sincere friend of Pakistan and has supported it in every test and trail. Similarly, Sheikh Zayed of UAE has also done a lot for Pakistan. He said that Lahore Metro Orange Train Project is also a great gift of Chinese leadership. He said that this project will be completed within 27 months at cost of 1.47 billion dollars. He said that route of this project is 27 km long and 20 kilometer of which will be elevated. He said that China has made marvelous development and has become second biggest economy of the world and it has foreign exchange reserves of four trillion dollars. He said that China is a role model for Pakistan.

In reply to a question, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan has good relations with America and if it is a well-wisher of Pakistan, it should be happy over elimination of poverty, unemployment and darkness from Pakistan due to Chinese investment. He said that Chinese investment will not affect Pak-America relations. Replying to another question, he said that the route of economic corridor has not been changed and the whole country will benefit from this big economic project.

Replying to another question, he said that solar power projects can be set up in a short period and out of 900 megawatt solar projects, 300 megawatt projects will be completed within this year. He said that hydle power project take more time and these projects will be completed by 2019-20.

Shahbaz Sharif said that if 90 percent projects of energy are completed by 2017-18, it will be a big revolution in energy sector. He said that Pak-Army, police, different institutions and all segments of the society should play their role for removing the problem of shortage of electricity and other issues being faced by the country. He said that big investors of the country should also come forward for investment in Pakistan.

Answering another question, the Chief Minister said that Chinese banks are financing Chinese investors and Chinese President and Prime Minister have issued instructions to their banks and financial institutions in this regard. He said that projects of 4.5 billion dollars have been earmarked for Punjab while projects of nine billion dollars for Sindh and it is matter of pleasure that it will promote national unity and harmony.

He said that the dream of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to make Pakistan an Asian Tiger will now be realized. He said that China is a strategic partner of Pakistan. Regarding question about the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif said that political and military leadership has assured the Chinese authorities that all out arrangements will be made for the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan and they will be given complete security cover. He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif have assured Chinese President that foolproof security will be provided to Chinese citizens working in Pakistan.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that it is a blessing of Allah that China has come to help Pakistan. He said that India should not raise hue and cry over this issue as during the visits of Presidents of China and America to India, Pakistan did not raise any objection. He said that India should now be ready to compete with Pakistan in economic field.

He said that no effort will be spared for benefiting from this opportunity as it will change destiny of nation and darkness will be removed.