Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday said the present age is that of dialogue, understanding and communication and all countries should use these mediums in the effort to promote international peace.
He said that there was a greater responsibility on the bigger countries in this regard. He said that besides relations at government level, promotion of public contacts was also essential as interaction provides opportunities to learn from one another’s experiences.
He was addressing a ceremony held in connection with Dehli-Lahore-Delaware Partnership.
US Ambassador to Pakistan and Afghanistan Robin L Raphael, American Consul General Nina Maria Fite, Dehli-Lahore-Delaware Partnership President Kathleen Meyer, Punjab ministers Rana Sanaullah, Zakariya Shahnawaz, Shuja Khanzada, Pakistan Society for Peace President Almas Ali Javindah, USAID Director Jeff Baken, columnist Ataul Haq Qasmi and the Punjab chief secretary were also present.
Shahbaz welcomed the delegation of Dehli-Lahore-Delaware Partnership to Lahore and said that it was a commendable effort to promote contact at public level and success of peace initiatives. He said that the partnership was a good attempt to strengthen contacts at public level between Pakistan, India and the US and the role of PSP President Almas Ali Javidah was highly appreciable in this regard. He said that there was a need for effective measures for promotion of public contacts in the present era as it helps in understanding one another’s culture and values.
He said that economic ties between the nations were of vital importance for progress, prosperity and peace.
Referring to Pak-US ties, the CM said that friendly ties between the two countries were spread over decades, though these ties have had their ups and downs. He said that there is a need for taking measures for promotion of public contacts. He said that the wars between India and Pakistan have given nothing except poverty, unemployment and devastation to the peoples of the two countries. He said that India and Pakistan will have to live as good neighbours and resolve their disputes through dialogue. He said that besides promotion of economic and trade cooperation, India and Pakistan should spend their resources on the progress, prosperity and welfare of their people. He said that some nations which have been at loggerheads for years are now bound together in strong economic and trade ties and enemies of yesterday have become friends of today.
The US envoy said that in addition to harmonious ties between states, effective measures should also be taken to promote contacts at public level. She said the Dehli-Lahore-Delaware Partnership could play an important role in strengthening public contacts between the three countries.
Dehli-Lahore-Delaware Partnership President Kathleen Meyer highlighted the role, aims and objectives and activities of the organisation.
Almas Ali Jovindah informed about the activities of his society. The participants of the meeting also submitted their proposals for making the partnership more effective and vibrant.
CM urges world to go for dialogue, understanding
