Strengthening ties: CM says visit to Britain, Turkey great success

Shahbaz says Peshawar school martyrs to be remembered forever

LAHORE: A number of new agreements have been signed with the UK and Turkey to strengthen economic ties with both countries, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was talking to reporters after the end of his visit to Britain and Turkey.

“The recent tour to Britain and Turkey has been very successful,” he said.

“Useful meetings were held with the Turk president, prime minister and investors during the visit to Turkey. Assurance of cooperation from Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in many sectors is welcome,” he said.

After his arrival in Lahore, Shahbaz chaired a meeting held to review arrangements for commemorating the sacrifices of martyrs of the Army Public School Peshawar attack on December 16.

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that rich tributes would be paid to the sacrifices rendered by school children. “Beasts killed innocent children and teachers on December 16, 2014. We can never forget sacrifices of these innocent children. We will not rest content till the elimination of the last terrorist from the motherland,” he said.

The chief minister directed officials to hold functions throughout the province on the day. “This day will be remembered forever. Children and teachers of Army Public School laid down their lives for a great cause,” he said.

Metro train

The chief minister also presided over a high-level meeting to review the progress of the construction work of the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project.

He said that metro train was a unique project in transport sector. No historical building or heritage will be affected due to the project. The metro train project will provide the common man comfortable and economical travelling facilities,” he said.

“The metro train project will also be completed with high quality and speed. No compromise will be made on the quality of construction work. The train project will be a masterpiece of architecture,” he said.

The chief minister said that he was personally monitoring the progress of the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th,  2015.