Cooperation: ‘Balochistan will benefit from Punjab’s expertise’

Zehri praises Punjab govt for promoting peace

LAHORE:

“The Punjab government has taken significant steps to improve health and education infrastructure in the province. The people of Balochistan will greatly benefit from collaboration in these sectors between the governments of the Punjab and Balochistan,” said Sanaullah Zehri, chief minister of Balochistan, during a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.

The current political situation and efforts for promotion of inter-provincial harmony were discussed in the meeting.

The Punjab chief minister congratulated Zehri on taking over the office of chief minister.

He said the people of Balochistan were patriotic and hardworking citizens.

“I hope the new Balochistan chief minister will utilise his abilities and energies for welfare of the Baloch,” he said.

Sharif said the Punjab government was willing to cooperate with the Balochistan government on public welfare projects. He said collective efforts were needed for progress and prosperity. “This means that the provincial governments should adopt a collaborative approach,” he said.

Shahbaz said students from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan had benefitted from the educational programmes in the Punjab.

“This has brought about greater national solidarity, harmony and brotherhood,” he said.

He said the government was taking steps to eliminate terrorism and resolve the energy crisis.

“Over the last two years, the government has focused on steering the country out of economic and political crises,” he said. “The number of energy projects launched under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s tenure was unprecedented.”

Zehri said the Punjab government had taken commendable measures for the promotion of inter-provincial harmony.

“Shahbaz Sharif is a role model for Balochistan and other provinces,” he said. “Welfare of the Baloch is my mission. I will spare no effort in this regard.”

Senator Agha Shehbaz Khan Durrani was also present during the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2015.