Ambassador of European Union in Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain met Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.
Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and implementation of the points of GSP Plus were discussed in the meeting. The chief minister said that there are strong friendly ties between Pakistan and European Union. He said Pakistan gives high importance to the cooperation of European Union for the development of education, health infrastructure besides other social sectors in the country. He said that after GSP Plus status Pakistan’s textile industry has got access to European markets and the trade is increasing. He said that GSP Plus points are being effectively implemented in Punjab and a special cabinet committee has been set up for getting maximum benefit from GSP Plus status.
He said that a revolutionary programme is being implemented for the empowerment of youth and women in Punjab and positive results are being witnessed. Referring to the measures taken by the provincial government for the elimination of child labour, the chief minister said that the Punjab government has taken effective steps for curbing child labour and he is personally monitoring the performance of the steering committee set up for this purpose. He said that a splendid educational package has been given for the education of the children working at brick kilns and not only a monthly stipend is being given to these children but the government will also bear their educational expenses. Commenting on the international report of the Transparency International issued from Berlin regarding control of corruption, Sharif said that this report has authenticated the transparent policies of the present government and improvement in the rating of Pakistan with regard to efforts for curbing corruption is encouraging. He said that Pakistan is the only country of the region whose international rating has improved with regard to the measures for eliminating corruption.