Promotion of education to help fight terror: Shahbaz
LAHORE–Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said Pakistan has no shortage of resources as it has excellent brains, fertile lands, robust workforce and water resources, but required determination is not there for achieving targets of progress, which can be achieved through hard work, commitment and dedication, while national economy can be improved by relying on indigenous resources.
“There is a vast scope of development of manufacturing, textile, engineering, livestock and dairy forming sectors in Punjab and provincial government is taking effective measures for accelerating industrial activities,” said, while commending holding of the industrial exhibition in the city with the collaboration of Iran, Indonesia and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“It will not only promote trade and economic cooperation between the brotherly Islamic countries but will also give a boost to industrial and trade sector in the province,” he hoped, while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 1st ‘Expo Punjab 2011’ arranged by the LCCI at Expo Centre Johar Town here on Friday. Indonesian Ambassador Ishaq Latuconsina, Iranian Consul General Ali Nekan, President LCCI Shehzad Ali Malik, MNA Pervaiz Malik as well as a large number of traders and industrialists from Iran, Indonesia and Punjab were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister congratulated the LCCI management on arranging the 1st Expo Punjab 2011, and said that the holding of the industrial exhibition is a commendable step which would give an impetus to industrial, trade and business activities in the province.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that the products of Indonesia and Iran have also been displayed at the exhibition, which will promote trade relations and mutual cooperation between the brotherly Islamic countries.
There is a vast scope of investment in livestock and dairy farming sectors in Punjab and Punjab government is also setting up a modern slaughter house in Lahore with the cooperation of Iran,” he mentioned, adding that the future was linked with agriculture and livestock and development of these sectors could not only result in generation of job opportunities but revival of national economy as well.
He said Pakistan was facing the challenge of terrorism and extremism which had left an adverse effect on national economy.
“Besides military operation, promotion of education and economic activities is also important for uprooting terrorism from the country.
“Besides military operation, promotion of education and economic activities is also important for uprooting terrorism from the country.
Knowledge is more powerful than bullet and promotion of education, equitable distribution of resources and minimizing disparity between the rich and the poor can help eliminate the twin menace of extremism and terrorism.
The Punjab government is implementing a revolutionary programme for the elimination of poverty, ignorance and unemployment from the province and solid measures have been taken for the promotion of vocational education,” he said, adding that vocational training institutes had been activated and special attention was being paid to the vocational training of the youth in accordance with the market needs.
He also appreciated the cooperation extended by business community for the relief of flood affectees. In response to the demand of provision of land for setting up vocational training centre for the promotion of information technology and bio-technology near Expo Centre, the CM directed Revenue Department to identify land for this purpose.
Earlier, President LCCI Shahzad Ali Malik, in his welcome address, threw light on the aims and objectives of the 1st Expo Punjab.
He added that products of Iran and Indonesia had also been displayed in the exhibition, which was aimed at promotion of investment and generation of job opportunities. He mentioned that the LCCI was working on the project of construction of 150 houses in the flood-hit areas.
He added that products of Iran and Indonesia had also been displayed in the exhibition, which was aimed at promotion of investment and generation of job opportunities. He mentioned that the LCCI was working on the project of construction of 150 houses in the flood-hit areas.
Indonesian Ambassador Ishaq Latuconsina said the holding of the mega event in the cultural city of Lahore was commendable and would improve the image of Pakistan.
(The Nation)
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