A high-level Canadian delegation Wednesday led by Leader of the Opposition of Ontario Province Patrick Brown met Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various sectors were discussed during the meeting. The Punjab government and Canadian delegation agreed to continue contacts regularly in future for increasing cooperation in various sectors.
Talking to the delegation, Sharif said that friendly relations exist between Pakistan and Canada. However, there is a need for enhancing cooperation in education, health and skill development sectors as well as promoting trade and economic relations between both the countries, he added. The chief minister said the Punjab government wants to further increase cooperation with Ontario in various sectors and speedy steps should be taken in this regard. He said that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis living in Canada are great ambassadors of the country who send precious foreign exchange for strengthening national economy.
Sharif said Pakistan is facing terrorism, energy crisis and other challenges and the government is taking all possible steps for steering the country out of quagmire of problems. He said Pakistan has made tremendous progress in various sectors during last two and a half years under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said significant progress has been made for eliminating terrorism, extremism and overcoming energy crisis and now Pakistan is a safe, developed and peaceful country as compared to 2013.
The chief minister said that the entire nation, political and military leadership are united for eliminating terrorism. He said terrorists have no religion and they are enemy of the whole humanity. He said Pakistan has made great sacrifices in the war against terrorism and it will become a haven of peace as a result of these sacrifices. He said effective steps have also been taken for eliminating energy crisis under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Sharif said that work is being carried out speedily on various projects for resolving energy crisis. He said thousands of megawatt electricity will be added to national grid after completion of energy projects in 2017-18. He said the government has put the economy on right direction and the foreign exchange reserves have reached the highest level of the history. He said the Punjab government has started revolutionary steps for empowering youth of the province. He said the youth are bright future of Pakistan, therefore, all possible resources have been provided for empowering them.
The chief minister said that splendid reforms programme is being implemented for the improvement of health sector. He said digital monitoring system has been introduced for improving the performance of government institutions. He said, “We are working round the clock with devotion and dedication for the development and prosperity of Pakistan and the day is not far off when Pakistan will become a developed and prosperous country.”
Speaking on the occasion, Head of Canadian delegation Patrick Brown said that the track record of Sharif is full of successes and the reforms programme of Punjab government in health, education and various sectors is marvelous. He said, “We had heard about the successes of Sharif in Canada but we have witnessed it personally in Punjab. No doubt, the determination and vision with which Sharif is serving the people of the province is commendable.”
He said that the credit of significant development in Punjab province goes to the dynamic leadership of Sharif. Canadian delegation included Senator Salma Ataullahjan, President Canada Pakistan Business Council Samir Dossal and other senior officials. Provincial Ministers Zakia Shahnawaz, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, secretaries concerned and senior officials were present on the occasion.