Joint efforts against terrorism will continue, says US ambassador

CM expresses grief over the loss of lives in California shooting.

LAHORE: The United States (US) will continue its joint efforts with Pakistan to eliminate terrorism in the region, newly appointed US Ambassador David Hale said on Friday.

He was speaking at a meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The US ambassador said his country attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s performance in its fight against terrorist outfits was worthy of praise.

Hale also praised the provincial government for completing work on development projects in record time.

The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest including enhanced cooperation for projects in the energy sector.

Sharif said the two countries had a shared commitment to promotion of peace and tolerance in the world. He said he hoped that cooperation between the two countries would further strengthen with the selection of a US company, General Electric, for establishment of three gas-based power plants in the province. He said the contract for these projects was awarded to the GE following a transparent bidding process. “Pakistan’s economy is growing rapidly. Its demand for energy is going to see a surge in the coming days. We look forward to meeting this increased demand with the US’s cooperation,” he said.

Sharif said the PML-N led government was determined to transform the country into a welfare state in accordance with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision. He said promotion of tolerance and restraint was necessary for the purpose.

Sharif also expressed his grief over the loss of lives in shooting incident at a centre for people with physical disabilities in California. He said the people of Pakistan were deeply saddened by the incident. He said terrorists were enemies of all humanity. The perpetrators of such heinous crimes against innocent people should be spared no leniency. Sharif said terrorism was a global problem and joint efforts were needed to root out the menace.

He said Pakistan strongly condemned terrorism in all forms. There was no room in Pakistan for those espousing an extremist worldview. “We will ensure that our efforts to establish a society based on tolerance and moderation is successful at any cost,” he said.  US Consul General Zachary Harkenrider was also present at the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2015.