Ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats and other high officials of various international bodies met with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Saturday.
These included European Ambassador Jeans Francois Cautain, French Ambassador Martine Dorance, UK High Commissioner Thomas Drew, Indian High commissioner Gautam Bambawala, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson, Tajik Ambassador Jononov Sherali, US Consul General Yuri Fedkiw, World Bank Country Director Illangova Patchamutu, German Embassy Deputy Chief Jens Jokisch, UNESCO Director Vibeke Jensen, and others.
On the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan had started its journey of progress and prosperity and was more secure, peaceful, and economically viable today than it was before. “The situation improved this much due to the effective steps of the government for the eradication of terrorism and the energy crisis. The complete elimination of terrorism is our mission,” the chief minister said. “China and other countries are also investing in Pakistan. Work on different energy projects is being done speedily under the CPEC.”
He also said that the historically important places of Sikh and Buddhist communities in Punjab are fully taken care of. Economic activities would be further accelerated with the promotion of tourism, he added.
The chief minister said that a completely unprecedented Rs 112 billion had been saved by the government in gas power projects by the government and that these resources were being utilised for providing health, education, and other basic necessities.
“Resources worth 800 million dollars have been saved through the orange line metro train. Every step of ours is taken for the development of the nation and the prosperity of the people,” he claimed.
The Australian high commissioner said that economic activities can be increased with the promotion of tourism. He also congratulated the chief minister for looking after the cultural heritage of historic places. The French ambassador said that there is tremendous potential for tourism and other sectors in Punjab and that France was willing to fully cooperate for tourism development.