Moving ahead: Ending terrorism and load shedding critical to progress says CM

Shahbaz says youth’s role in nation-building is vitally important.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that elimination of terrorism and electricity load shedding were imperative for the country’s progress and development.

Speaking to an 18-member delegation from the UK’s Royal College of Defence Studies, he said that terrorism could be defeated through education and socio-economic development. He said Pakistan had lost 40,000 lives in the war on terror.

“Our armed forces have rendered huge sacrifices for the country. The nation is proud of their courage and professionalism.”

Sharif said provision of better health, education and employment opportunities could help overcome terrorism.

Apprising the delegation of the development projects in the Punjab, he said Daanish schools had been set up to provide quality education to children in less-developed areas.

He said the Rs12-billion Punjab Educational Endowment Fund was helping thousands of talented children get education.

The chief minister said the distribution of laptops among students was another revolutionary step by the government. He said 150,000 laptops had been distributed so far and seminary students had also been given laptops.

He said the Skill Development Programme continued in 18 districts in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID).

“The programme is being expanded to other districts. A scheme related to mother-and-child healthcare is also being launched with DFID’s cooperation,” he said.

Sharif said that 60 per cent of the country’s population consisted of youth. “They shall be involved in the nation-building. Imparting skills and providing them jobs is the need of the hour.”

The chief minister said overcoming electricity load shedding was essential for the development of the industry, agriculture, education and health sectors.

He said the country had large reserves of coal and the government was benefiting from them by launching several coal-fired power projects.

He said the Royal College of Defence Studies was playing a pivotal role in training army officers from different countries, including Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2014.