Shahbaz Sharif attends America’s national day ceremony at American Consulate

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif participated as chief guest in a function held in connection with national day of America at American Consulate Lahore today and cut cake along with American Consul General Zachary Harkenrider.

The Chief Minister congratulated American people on 239^th national day ceremonies of America and said that there are lasting friendly relations between Pakistan and USA. He said that there were ups and down in Pak-American ties in different tenures, however, this relation of friendship is spread over six decades. He said that during the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pak-American bonds are based on the principles of mutual respect, progress and prosperity.

He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to America has been highly successful and both the countries have agreed to benefit from opportunities of progress and prosperity. He said that America is extending full cooperation in the development of different sectors in Pakistan and American cooperation in education, health and energy sectors is commendable. He said that power plant in Muzaffargarh is again being operated with American cooperation.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is facing big challenge of terrorism along with energy crisis. He said that brave Pak-Army and every segment of society have rendered sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said that more than 50 thousand Pakistanis have sacrificed their precious lives in the war against terrorism. He said that socio-economic justice is also necessary for eradication of terrorism.

The Chief Minister said that the trends of extremism could be eliminated by increasing job opportunities and poverty alleviation. He said that terrorists and their facilitators have been defeated through operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said that the entire Pakistani nation is determined to eliminate terrorism from the country and political and military leadership of Pakistan is on one page for eliminating terrorism.

He said that a prominent American company General Electric has acquired contract of gas- based projects in a transparent manner. He said that 3600 megawatt electricity will be generated through three gas-based projects. He said that contract has been awarded on very low rate through transparent bidding in three gas-based projects. These gas-based projects are being set up on half cost as compared to the projects established in the past and an amount of Rs. 112 billion has been saved in these projects, he added.

Shahbaz Sharif said that economic cooperation is increasing between Pakistan and America. American Consul General Zachary Harkenrider while speaking on the occasion said that people and security institutions of Pakistan have rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is forwarding public welfare projects with very hard work, he added.