A delegation of Royal College for Defense Studies, Britain calls on CM Punjab

Lahore: A delegation of Royal College for Defense Studies, Britain led by Maj. Gen. Simon Porter called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today.

Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is facing big challenges like energy crisis, terrorism and extremism. He said that Pakistani nation has rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism which are unprecedented in the history.

He said that more than 50 thousand Pakistanis have sacrificed their lives in this war which included officers and jawans of Pak army, police officers and officials, government officers, common citizens and children. Shahbaz Sharif said that the entire nation and political and military leadership has united for eliminating terrorism and extremism.

He vowed that the enemies of peace will be defeated through unwavering determination of the nation. He said that we will not rest content till complete elimination of terrorists and extremists.

He said that political and military leadership of Pakistan has unanimously evolved a national action plan for eliminating terrorism and its implementation has yielded encouraging results and vigorous action is continuing against terrorists as well as their facilitators.

The Chief Minister said that besides bullet of gun, socio-economic steps are also being taken for eliminating trends of terrorism and extremism. He said that effective steps have been taken against corruption, nepotism and Safarish culture.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he did not tolerate corruption earlier nor do so in future. He said that he will go to the last extent against the unholy alliance of corrupt mafia. He said that resources are being utilized transparently by considering as a trust of the nation. He said that challenges being faced by the country will be overcome through commitment and untiring efforts.

The Chief Minister reiterated that economy of the country will be strengthened and goals achieved. He said that we will give a prosperous, developed and peaceful Pakistan to coming generations by changing the course of the history. He said that terrorism has caused huge loss to Pakistan and national economy and Pakistan has paid a heavy price in the war against terrorism.

He said that the nation could not forget the tragedy of December 16, 2014 in which beasts killed the innocent children and after this tragic incident, Pakistani nation has united against terrorism and now is moving forward with a commitment.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the nation is fully determined to defeat the menace of terrorism. He said that this menace did not come overnight nor will go overnight but continuous steps will have to be taken for this purpose. He said that promotion of investment and economic activities is impossible without peace.

The Chief Minister said that reducing gulf between poor and rich is essential for eliminating trends of extremism. He said that the attitudes of extremism can be reduced through alleviating poverty, providing jobs, education, health and other basic facilities. He said that judicious socio-economic system is vital in this regard. He said that terrorists are not only enemies of Pakistan but the entire world and they are being responded in a befitting manner.

He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government has adopted a solid policy for checking corruption, nepotism and Safarish in Punjab and promoted the culture of transparency.

Shahbaz Sharif said that if any case of corruption comes fore, indiscriminate action is taken as resources are a trust of the nation and PML-N government is spending these resources on the people honestly. The Chief Minister said that he will not allow anyone to plunder the national resources. He said that third-party audit has been made compulsory in development projects which has promoted transparency. He said that billions of rupees of the nation have been saved through dialogues with the companies giving lowest bids in mega projects of Punjab. He said that saving of national resources is unprecedented in the history of the country.

Referring to energy crisis, Shahbaz Sharif said that practical work is continuing on energy projects speedily and thousands of megawatts electricity will be generated from a number of energy projects by 2017-18 and energy crisis would have been overcome to a large extent. He said that China has given a historic economic package of 46 billion dollars to Pakistan which is unprecedented in the history of the world. He said, out of this package, 33 billion dollars are being spent on energy projects.

The Chief Minister said that CPEC has the importance of a game changer which will benefit the entire Pakistan. Mentioning the steps taken for the welfare of the people, Shahbaz Sharif said that youth is our precious asset and a revolutionary strategy has been evolved for empowering them. He said that 20 lakh youth will be made skillful through vocational training by 2018. He said that this challenge will be changed into useful opportunities by empowering the youth.

He said that metro bus service has brought a revolution in transport system and durable, economical, quality and safe travelling facility has become available to the people due to metro buses. He said that metro bus project is an important step towards removing disparity between the poor and the rich and is a glorious example of spending national resources on public welfare. He said that these projects have been prepared keeping in view the welfare of common man.

The Chief Minister said that lakhs of people reach to their destination by travelling excellent metro buses daily. He said that speedy transport facility and best infrastructure are essential for development and due to it, precious time as well as fuel is saved. He said that a mega programme has been started for providing potable water in the province under which 70 billion rupees will be spent during next three years.

He said that first phase of this programme has been started from south Punjab and provision of clean drinking water will be ensured to four crore rural population under Saaf Pani project as mineral water is available for elite in Pakistan but potable water is not available to common man. He said that this programme is of great importance with regard to public health.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the repair and rehabilitation work of all rural roads of the province will be completed during next three years under Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme. He said that 150 billion rupees will be spent during next three years and this programme will bring a revolution in rural economy. He said that farmers will bring their produce to market and people travel easily.

Shahbaz Sharif said that 11 billion rupees will be spent on Land Record Management Information System in Punjab and corruption has been eliminated by simplifying the process of getting of ownership deed and transfer of land under this system. He said that Daanish schools have been set up in far flung and backward areas of the province and quality education is being provided to the children of poorest families in these schools.

He said that Daanish schools are proving helpful in eliminating trends of extremism in backward areas and the male and female students getting education from these schools are becoming the custodian of peace, tolerance and brotherhood.

The Chief Minister said that laptops of billions of rupees have been distributed among talented male and female students only on merit through which they are becoming aware of changing situation of the world. He said that talented male and female students of seminaries have also been included in laptop scheme.

He said that an effective strategy has also been evolved for empowering women and necessary legislation has also been carried out for protecting women rights. He said that more than one lakh poor but intelligent students all over Pakistan are getting education through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. He said that 50 thousand vehicles costing 31 billion rupees are being distributed among jobless youth under Self-employment scheme and women have also been included in this scheme.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that the confidence of international institutions has restored due to effective and concrete economic policies of government of Pakistan and rating of Pakistan has increased. He said that government has taken solid steps for promoting transparency at every level and ensured timely and transparent completion of the projects. He said that the opponents cannot level the allegation of corruption of a single penny.

The Chief Minister said that no case of corruption against our government came fore during last two years which is a big credit for the present government. He said that information technology has been promoted in Punjab and digital monitoring system adopted. He said that citizen feedback system is also being fully benefitted.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is taking all provinces along and consultation is made with provinces and all political parties on important national issues which have enhanced national harmony and solidarity. Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants peaceful relations with all neighbouring countries on equal basis. Replying to another question, he said that four provinces of Pakistan will benefit from the projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, new job opportunities will be created, economic and trade activities will increase in the region which will help in eliminating poverty. Head of the delegation of Royal College for Defense Studies, Britain Maj. Gen. Simon Porter said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is a visionary leader and they have greatly impressed by listening to his views. He said that Shahbaz Sharif is serving the people of the province honestly and sincerely.

Provincial Ministers Col.(R) Shuja Khanzada, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Begum Tehmina Daultana MNA, Chief Secretary, MPAs Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Malik Muhammad Ali Khokhar, Syed Hussain Jehanian Gardezi, Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Saira Iftikhar, Inspector General Police, concerned secretaries and senior officials were also present on the occasion.