German ambassador discusses matters of mutual interest with Shehbaz Sharif
LAHORE: German Ambassador to Pakistan Martin Kobler called on Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. Matters of mutual cooperation, bilateral relations, skills development, as well as increased collaboration in other sectors were discussed during the meeting.
The chief minister expressed his best wishes to Martin Kobler on assumption of the charge of ambassador of Germany to Pakistan. Both the chief minister and German ambassador held their conversation in Arabic as well as in German languages.
The German ambassador said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has done a lot for the people of the province. You are a visionary leader and your administrative skills are extraordinary, he said, adding that you have gained a conspicuous position with your abilities. He said that cooperation will be extended to the Punjab government in technical and vocational trainings and Germany will share its expertise and experiences. He also stressed the need for promoting contacts at the level of chambers of commerce.
Talking to the German ambassador, CM Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Germany are friendly countries. We are desirous of benefiting from the German technology, he added. He said that 60 per cent population of Pakistan consists of the youth and therefore, the provincial government has started different programmes to empower the youth through technical and vocational trainings. However, a lot is needed to be done to transform this challenge into opportunity. We do not need resources but rather require German expertise and experiences in this field, he said.
The chief minister said that the German cooperation in skills development sector will be welcomed and we have to work jointly in this regard. He said that elimination of terrorism and fanaticism has become a global challenge. The whole nation has written a new history by giving unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he said. He further said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and due to the policies of the incumbent government, the menace of terrorism has been mostly controlled. The Pakistani society is moving towards tolerance, cohesion and peaceful coexistence while every citizen enjoys equal rights, concluded the chief minister.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS REVIEWED FOR MUHARRAM:
In a separate development, a high-level meeting was held with Shehbaz Sharif in the chair. During the meeting, security arrangements during Muharram were reviewed in detail to save the life and property of the people. The chief minister directed to further tighten the security of imambarghas, worships places and shrines, and said that foolproof security arrangements be made for maintaining law and order during the month.
He said that the representatives of the local bodies should play their proactive role for the promotion of religious harmony along with high police and administrative officers. He added that indiscriminate action be initiated under the law in case of any violation of code of conduct.
