- CM praises PML-N government for economic development at SAARC International Expo’s inaugural ceremony in city
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that due to tireless efforts of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, the economic indicators are improving and foreign exchange reserves have increased beyond ten billion dollars.
The chief minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of SAARC International Exhibition at Expo Centre on Friday. He also visited various stalls set up at the exhibition.
Addressing Pakistani investors, the chief minister stressed upon them to come forward for investment in energy sector. He said that as many as 2500 megawatt more electricity will be generated during the next three years which will provide substantial relief to the masses. He said that foundation stone of coal power plants in Port Qasim and Sahiwal, with the cooperation of China, is being laid next month while the first turbine of Nandipur Power Project will start operating from May and add one hundred megawatt electricity to the system.
The chief minister gave a special award to industrialist Mian Tariq Nisar on paying highest tax.
Shahbaz said that the Punjab government was setting up a state-of-the-art Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park (garments zone) near Motorway with the cooperation of Chinese companies and this zone is being established with consultation of industrialists. He said that experts belonging to private sectors are also on its board.
Shahbaz said that Pakistan also needs new water reservoirs. He said that had due attention paid to Basha Diyamir Dam and Dasu Dam in the tenures of the previous governments, these projects just could have been completed as Pakistan had also received 20 billion dollars and the cost of the dam was 12 billion dollars and a period of eight years was required for its constructions.
Shahbaz stressed the need for collective efforts for national reconstruction and expressed the hope that Pakistan will become a great country and regain its lost status in the comity of nations.
