Shahbaz lauds services of Pakistan Navy

*Shahbaz address International Maritime Symposium arranged by the Pakistan Navy War College

Pakistan Navy is playing an important role for the protection of maritime interests of the country as well as in education and health sectors within its limited resources, said Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif while addressing the inaugural session of the first two-day International Maritime Symposium arranged by the Pakistan Navy War College at Naval War Complex Walton Road on Wednesday. Chief of Navel Staff Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, secretary information as well as retired and in-service officers of Pakistan Navy were present.

Shahbaz said that the symposium was of vital importance with regard to maritime security and useful proposals and recommendations have been put forward in the session which will be helpful in promotion of maritime sector. He said that Pakistan is rich in mineral and human resources, however, full benefit has not been taken from them during the last 67 years.

He said that the economy of the country can be strengthened by utilising mineral wealth. He said that solution of energy crisis is essential for achieving the goal of national development. Shahbaz said that government is making sincere efforts for overcoming shortage of electricity and China, which is a trustworthy and reliable friend of Pakistan, is extending full support for coping with energy crisis. He said that Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans, stronger than steel and sweeter than honey. He said that China has always supported Pakistan in the hour of need and Pak-China friendship will live forever.

The chief minister said that unfortunately full benefit has not been taken from the friendship and technology of China in the past, however, the present government has taken expeditious measures for resolving energy problem with the cooperation of China. He said that the volume of trade between China and India is $ 85 billion while it is only six billion dollars between China and Pakistan. He said that China has set up coal-based power projects of 20 thousand megawatts in India during the last few years.

The CM said that China has announced a historic investment package of $ 32 billion for Pakistan and has proved to be a true friend of Pakistan and now there is need to work hard and fully benefit from this package. He said that though Pakistan is a nuclear power but it is still considered a beggar. He said that it is high time to maintain nuclear capability and strive to achieve the goal of self-reliance. He said that only those nations have achieved the height of progress and development as have adopted the principle of honesty, hard work and commitment and China, Japan, Germany and South Korea are a few examples in this regard. The chief minister said that though China achieved independence two years after Pakistan but it has become a strong economic force due to its efforts. He said that Pakistanis are happy over unprecedented progress of China as its economic progress and prosperity is also that of Pakistan. He said that there was a time when Indian economy was weaker than that of Pakistan.