Chief minister’s activities: Sri Lankan envoy praises Shahbaz Sharif’s vision

LAHORE:

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Air Chief Marshall (r) Jayalath Weerakkody called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday. Matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

The chief minister said Pakistan and Sri Lanka had strong friendly relations. He said Pakistan attached a lot of importance to its relationship with Sri Lanka. He said that there was a need to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, and increase cooperation in health and education sectors. He said there should be a greater exchange of delegations between the two countries.



Sharif said Pakistan wanted strong and stable relations among SAARC countries, and that Sri Lanka was an important member of SAARC. He said the South Asia Labour Conference was being organised in Lahore to strengthen ties between SAARC countries

The chief minister expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by Sri Lankan doctors and experts during the dengue fever outbreak in 2010-11.

The Sri Lankan high commissioner said bilateral ties should be strengthened. He said the Punjab was an important province, and the provincial government was serving the people effectively. He said he was deeply impressed by Sharif’s vision of development. He invited Sharif to visit Sri Lanka.

Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan was also present on the occasion.

Development projects

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the government was implementing a comprehensive programme for the welfare of people. He was presiding over a meeting to review the progress of various development projects in the province.

Sharif said several mega development projects had been executed in the province during the last six years while ensuring transparency.

The chief minister said the government, in light of its manifesto, was implementing a number of projects aimed at providing basic amenities. He said transparency, maintenance of quality standards and speed were the hallmark of the government.

Sharif said a corruption-free culture was promoted in the Punjab, and national resources were being spent honestly. He said an effective monitoring system had been devised to implement development projects transparently. He added that every penny of public money was being spent for people’s welfare.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2014.