Senior political editor of a leading German Daily Der Tagesspiegel, Ingrid Muller met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.
Information Secretary Mohyuddin Wani was also present on the occasion. The CM informed the German journalist about the public welfare projects and development priorities in the province as well as socio-economic situation in South Asia.
Shahbaz said Pakistan had been facing maladministration, corruption, shortage of resources and an absence of sagacious leadership during the recent years. In the background of 9/11 tragedy, he said, terrorism was the gravest challenge being faced by Pakistan which had to be overcome immediately so that it could get rid of its basic problems. He said more than 30 thousand Pakistanis had been martyred while a number of people had lost their near and dear ones in the incidents of terrorism. He said it was a supreme sacrifice on the part of Pakistan therefore there should not be doubt about its commitment to fight the monster of terrorism. He said instead of giving dictation, world community should work with Pakistan to cope with this challenge. He said in order to counter terrorism, all stakeholders would have to be taken into confidence and a comprehensive policy would have to be adopted for this purpose. He said though it was a difficult task but not impossible. He said innocent Pakistanis were killed in drone attacks while they also lose their lives in incidents of terrorism so there was hardly any difference between the two. He asked what objectives were being achieved in the war on terror through the death of innocent people. He demanded that the US should offer an apology on the killing of innocent Pakistanis and also stop drone attacks. He said Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran should maintain a close contact with each other in the interest of peace in the region. He further said peace in Afghanistan would lead to tranquillity in Pakistan.
Referring to the steps taken for the elimination of terrorism in Punjab, Shahbaz said besides training of police in professional matters on modern lines, its capacity was being further built through intelligence training so that it could combat terrorism in a more effective manner. He said besides administrative measures, it was also necessary to provide jobs as well as affordable educational and health facilities to the masses close to their homes. He said in addition to improving administrative efficiency, there was also a need to launch projects in socio-economic sector for raising the living standard of the common man. He said though it would be a long struggle but it can definitely restore peace in the region.
The CM while informing the German journalist about measures taken in the province during the last four years, said that transport, solid waste management and other sectors were being improved with the assistance of Turkey for the benefit of the common man. He said friendly relations with Turkey had been transformed into economic ties. He said new roads and flyovers of international standard were being constructed in the province while air-conditioned public transport had also been introduced to facilitate the passengers. He said these development targets had been achieved from the available resources. Referring to the energy crises, he said that payment of the circular debt of Rs 400 billion would greatly help in overcoming this problem. He said power theft and mismanagement was a different issue and energy production can be increased by two to three thousand megawatt through overcoming these problems. Similarly, he said, energy requirement of the country could be met through short and medium term projects of generation of power through hydel, coal, baggase and solar energy.
