Government policies boosting rural economy, says Elahi

Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that relations between Pakistan and Norway in education, health, culture, telecom and other sectors were based on sound foundations. He was talking to out-going Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan Janis B-Jorn at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Wednesday.
He said that local and foreign investments were increasing in the country due to economic policies of President General Pervez Musharraf. He said that Norway was playing an important role in telecom sector in Pakistan. Norwegian cooperation would also be welcome in jails reform programme, he added. Elahi also commended the efforts of Norway in the conservation of national and cultural heritage in Lahore.
He averred that due to excellent economic polices of the government, rural economy was growing rapidly as a result of which information technology, energy and telecom sectors were also developing speedily.
He said the government was implementing comprehensive reforms in education, health and information technology sectors as well as reformation of prisons and conservation of national heritage. He said that record funds were being spent for the development of social sector and promotion of tourism due to which poverty had reduced and job opportunities were being generated.
He said that besides Norway, UAE, Singapore, China and other countries were also making heavy investment in telecom sector due to which communication system was improving and telephone, Internet and cable facilities were becoming available to the citizens.
He said that standard of living of the masses was improving in the country as a result of which use of electronic equipment, air-conditioners, refrigerators and other domestic appliances were increasing and the demand of energy had doubled, resulting in shortage of electricity.
He said that there was a wide scope of foreign investment in power and other sector in Pakistan. He said that besides setting up new jails, the government was also taking measures for the welfare of women prisoners and juvenile offenders.He said that food and better treatment facilities were being provided to prisoners under jails reform programme.
He averred that measures were being taken with the cooperation of different NGOs for the welfare as well as education and training of women prisoners and juvenile offenders. He dilated that the cooperation of Norway for the education and training of prisoners would be welcomed so that the self-respect of women prisoners and juvenile offenders could be restored and they could be made useful citizen of the society.
He appreciated the cooperation of Norway in the rehabilitation of Lahore Fort, Shalimar Garden and other cultural heritage. He said that relations were improving with Norway in various sectors and both the countries were benefiting from the experiences of each other. Norway Ambassador appreciated the measures taken by the Chief Minister Punjab for the development of the province, conservation of national heritage and welfare of prisoners.