A high-level German delegation led by Parliamentary State Secretary for Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development Thomas Silberhorn met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here on Thursday. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral issues and promotion of co-operation in different sectors were discussed on the occasion. It was also agreed in the meeting to further promote co-operation in energy and skills development sectors.
Talking to German delegation, the Chief Minister said that there are long standing friendly relations between Pakistan and Germany and is important trade partner of Pakistan. However, he said that there is need for taking further measures for promoting economic co-operation between the two countries.
He said that Germany has played an important role in granting of GSP Plus status to Pakistan which has increased textile and garments export for the country. Referring to unprecedented sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, the Chief Minister said that besides energy crisis, Pakistan is also facing the challenge of terrorism and extremism.
He said that officers and jawans of Pak army and police, common citizens, besides people of all walks of life have rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism and more than 50 thousand Pakistanis have lost their lives in this war. He said that Pak army is achieving glorious successes in operation Zar-e-Azab. He said that the political and military leadership as well as the whole nation is untied to root out the menace of terrorism. He said that it is also a fact that besides the use of force, social and economic measures are also essential for elimination of terrorism and extremism and therefore, youth are being empowered in Punjab for checking the trends of terrorism and extremism.
He said that a solid strategy has been evolved for imparting various skills to millions of youth annually while under skills development programme, thousands of youth have been made skilful in accordance with the market needs. He said that this programme is running successfully and its scope is being extended to the whole province.
Shahbaz said that Germany should consider provision of technical assistance for providing skills to the youth of the province in accordance with the needs of local and foreign markets. He said that Germany can extend co-operation in the promotion of vocational education for the youth.
Referring to energy projects, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government has completed a solar project with its own resources at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur in a record period and it has started supply of electricity. He said that services of German consultants have been acquired for this project. He further said that planning has been made to set up power houses for the production of 3600 megawatt electricity from gas in Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that provincial government is setting up a gas-based energy project of 1200 megawatt while project of 2400 megawatt will be established by the federal government. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, government is making all out efforts for the completion of power projects expeditiously and in a transparent manner and work is being carried out speedily on energy projects throughout the country.
Parliamentary State Secretary for Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development Thomas Silberhorn said that co-operation with Punjab will be promoted in technical and vocational training sector. He said that Chief Minister Punjab is making commendable efforts for the welfare and development of the people and provincial government has taken unprecedented measures in this regard under his dynamic leadership.
German Ambassador in Pakistan Ina Lepel, President German Pakistan Forum Dr Saeed Chaudhary, senior authorities of Economic Co-operation and Development, officers of German Embassy, Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, Chairman Planning & Development, Chairman Punjab Investment Board Abdul Basit, Secretary Energy and concerned officers were present on the occasion.
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