Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop meets Chief Minister Punjab

Lahore: A delegation led by Australian Foreign Minister Ms. Julie Bishop met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today.

Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral cooperation and promotion of cooperation in agriculture, livestock, skill development, education and other sectors were discussed during the meeting.

Talking to Australian delegation, the Chief Minister said that best friendly relations exist between Pakistan and Australia. He said that government wants to further promote ties with Australia in agriculture, livestock, mining and education sectors. He said that Australia can extend cooperation with regard to mining of coal and iron ore. He said that Australia can play an important role in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan by becoming a partner.

Shahbaz Sharif said that revolutionary reforms are being introduced in education and health sectors in Punjab. He said that a state-of-the-art forensic lab has been set up at Lahore.  He said that the entire Pakistani nation is united for eradicating terrorism and military and political leadership is on one page in this regard. He said that Pakistan has made supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism and more than 50 thousand Pakistanis have sacrificed their precious lives.

The Chief Minister said that work is being carried out speedily on safe city project in Lahore for providing a peaceful environment to the people. He said that after Lahore, the scope of safe city project will be expanded to other big cities. He said that difference of good or bad terrorists has been ended and all terrorists are bad.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, efforts are being made round the clock for steering the country out of problems. He said that socio-economic steps are also being taken for eradication of terrorism and special attention is being paid to provision of educational, health and employment facilities. He said that for empowering youth, they are being made skillful in accordance with market needs.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that steps of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in various sector are appreciable. She said that measures will be taken for promoting cooperation in different sectors with Punjab.

Australian High Commissioner, members of delegation, Provincial Ministers, Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Hameeda Waheed ud Din, Members Assembly Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha and other concerned authorities were present on the occasion.