LAHORE, (APP): UK Royal College of Defence Studies delegation calls on CM Shehbaz Sharif
A high level delegation of Royal College of Defence Studies, Britain, met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Thursday.
Major General (Retd) Simon Leslia Porter led the delegation.
Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that currently Pakistan was facing terrorism and energy crisis, adding that empowerment of youth through socio-economic measures was also a big challenge.
He said the government of Pakistan Muslim League-N under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was determined to cope with challenges and forwarding under a comprehensive strategy.
He said that political & military leadership and the entire nation were on one page in the war against terrorism. He said that terrorists had been defeated through operation Zarb-e-Azb.
He said that Pakistan had sacrificed more than 50 thousand precious lives in the war against terrorism. He said that supreme sacrifices of Pakistan in the war against terrorism were a clear proof towards its unflinching determination.
He said that Pak army, police, politicians and every section of the society had laid their lives in the war against terrorism. He said that dream of progress and prosperity could not be materialized without eliminating the menace of terrorism.
He said that in order to win this war, specific mindset would also have to be defeated.
The Chief Minister said that in order to win the war against terrorism, there was a need of taking socio-economic steps, eliminate poverty and create new jobs opportunities and empower new generation as the menace of terrorism and extremism could only be defeated through education, health and other socio-economic measures.
He said the government was implementing a comprehensive programme of education, health, skill development and empowering women and the youth. He said the government would have to provide job opportunities to jobless persons, promote education and enable youth stand on their own feet by making skilled force.
He said that boys and girls of resources less families were admitted to Daanish Schools and they were becoming custodian of peace, tolerance and accommodation. He said that setting up of Daanish Schools had helped reduce trend of extremism. He said that establishment of Daanish schools was an important step towards Pakistan of Quaid and Iqbal.
He said the Punjab government had distributed lakhs of laptops worth billions of rupees among talented boy and girl students during the last few years. Similarly, IT labs had been established in government schools, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that scholarships were being given to less privileged but talented students in prestigious educational institutions through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. He said that these scholarships had been given to 150,000 students so far and boy and girl students had become doctors and engineers. He said, “This is the Pakistan of Quaid and Iqbal for which we are struggling.”
Referring to government steps for elimination of energy crisis, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, work had been carried out speedily on energy projects during the last three years and power houses had been set up with great struggle. He said that thousands of megawatt electricity would be generated through these projects by the end of 2017.
He said that Chinese leadership had given a great gift of China Pakistan Economic Corridor to Pakistan and under CPEC, China was investing 46 billion dollars in Pakistan. He said that federal and Punjab government were setting up of 3600 megawatt gas based projects. Similarly, work was continuing on 1320 megawatt coal power plants in Sahiwal and super critical plants were being installed, he added.
He said that with the completion of energy projects, loadshedding would be eliminated to a large extent in Pakistan. The Chief Minister said that eliminating energy crisis would result in promotion of industrial activities, development of agriculture, strengthening of economy, increasing investment, generating new job opportunities and reducing poverty.
Replying to questions of the members of the delegation, Shehbaz Sharif said, “First we all are Pakistanis.”
He said the Punjab government gave 11 billion rupees annually of its share to other provinces for NFC Award in 2010, which was an example of love, brotherhood and sacrifice. He said that Pervaiz Musharraf could not make consensus on NFC Award during his ten years tenure.
Shehbaz Sharif said that journey to progress and prosperity had started in the country, economy was improving, China was making investment of billions of dollars in Pakistan, facilities were being provided for business and a number of steps were taken for improving health and education sectors in the province.
Answering another question, the Chief Minister said that half of the population of the country consisted of women, therefore, women should demonstrate their talent in practical field and take part in process of development. He said that Pakistani women were very talented and the Punjab government had taken revolutionary steps for their empowerment. He said that scholarship amount for girl students had been increased for ensuring their enrolment.
Similarly, provision of missing facilities was also being ensured in all girl schools. He said that quota of women had been made 33 percent in Board of Governors of government institutions. Interest free loans were being provided to the women, he added.
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Simon Leslia Porter and other members of the delegation said that vision of public welfare and reforms of Shehbaz Sharif was appreciable. They said that excellent steps had been introduced in development strategy of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The delegation of Royal College of Defense Studies England comprised army officers of different countries. Provincial Minister Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Member Punjab Assembly Saira Iftikhar, former Attorney General Salman Butt, Secretary Home, Chairman Planning & Development, Chairman Punjab Investment Board and concerned officials were present on the occasion.