PM eyes German support to meet energy needs
Nawaz will briefly visit the United Kingdom from November 12-13, after concluding his official visit to Germany
BERLIN:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who arrived in Germany on a two-day visit on Monday, said that Pakistan desires German support to meet its energy needs and economic modernisation.
“The highest priority for us is to boost Pakistan’s economy. We do not have enough gas and electricity, Germany can initiate projects that can help in meeting our energy needs,” the prime minister said in an interview to a German newspaper Die Welt.
Nawaz said Pakistan was one of the largest wheat producers in the world and one of the major cotton exporters. The premier hinted he wanted successful deals with Germany during his visit.
Replying to a question, Nawaz assured the country’s determination to defeat and destroy the terrorist networks. He termed the allegation that Pakistan supports the Afghan Taliban “completely irrelevant, absurd and absolutely wrong”.
“Pakistan is a country that combats the terrorists and eliminates their safe havens,” he asserted. “Our soldiers have lost their lives in this struggle, while approximately 50,000 people have died in the terror attacks. Besides, the country’s economy has also suffered greatly.”
Nawaz said, “After withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan a new era will begin for the war-ravaged country — which will also be a new opportunity for the whole region”
“We must work together and support each other to defeat terror. The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has also declared that he will not tolerate such activities.”
About peace talks with Pakistan Taliban, the prime minister said, “they were carried out after all political parties and state institutions reached a consensus”. “We had taken that initiative very seriously, but terrorist activities continued so we had no choice but to fight,” the premier added.
The government was actively fighting terrorism and has improved its relations with all neighbours, Nawaz added.
“We do not just want a peaceful region; we want to contribute something to make the world a more peaceful and better place to live,” he added.
To a question regarding the killing of the Christian couple in Kasur, the prime minister assured that all those who were involved in this act will be held accountable.
Terming Malala Yousafzai a great girl, the prime minister said the whole country was very proud of her. “Education is a major focus for us and the government wants to increase spending on education to 4 per cent of gross domestic product by the end of the legislative period.”
Nawaz will briefly visit the United Kingdom from November 12-13, after concluding his official visit to Germany. During his visit, the premier will inaugurate the Pakistan-UK Energy Dialogue/Investment Conference 2014 to be held on November 13, in London.The conference will be attended by CEOs and leading figures of the energy sector. In addition, the prime minister will also meet the British ministers, senior officials and experts in the energy sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2014.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who arrived in Germany on a two-day visit on Monday, said that Pakistan desires German support to meet its energy needs and economic modernisation.
“The highest priority for us is to boost Pakistan’s economy. We do not have enough gas and electricity, Germany can initiate projects that can help in meeting our energy needs,” the prime minister said in an interview to a German newspaper Die Welt.
Nawaz said Pakistan was one of the largest wheat producers in the world and one of the major cotton exporters. The premier hinted he wanted successful deals with Germany during his visit.
Replying to a question, Nawaz assured the country’s determination to defeat and destroy the terrorist networks. He termed the allegation that Pakistan supports the Afghan Taliban “completely irrelevant, absurd and absolutely wrong”.
“Pakistan is a country that combats the terrorists and eliminates their safe havens,” he asserted. “Our soldiers have lost their lives in this struggle, while approximately 50,000 people have died in the terror attacks. Besides, the country’s economy has also suffered greatly.”
Nawaz said, “After withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan a new era will begin for the war-ravaged country — which will also be a new opportunity for the whole region”
“We must work together and support each other to defeat terror. The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has also declared that he will not tolerate such activities.”
About peace talks with Pakistan Taliban, the prime minister said, “they were carried out after all political parties and state institutions reached a consensus”. “We had taken that initiative very seriously, but terrorist activities continued so we had no choice but to fight,” the premier added.
The government was actively fighting terrorism and has improved its relations with all neighbours, Nawaz added.
“We do not just want a peaceful region; we want to contribute something to make the world a more peaceful and better place to live,” he added.
To a question regarding the killing of the Christian couple in Kasur, the prime minister assured that all those who were involved in this act will be held accountable.
Terming Malala Yousafzai a great girl, the prime minister said the whole country was very proud of her. “Education is a major focus for us and the government wants to increase spending on education to 4 per cent of gross domestic product by the end of the legislative period.”
Nawaz will briefly visit the United Kingdom from November 12-13, after concluding his official visit to Germany. During his visit, the premier will inaugurate the Pakistan-UK Energy Dialogue/Investment Conference 2014 to be held on November 13, in London.The conference will be attended by CEOs and leading figures of the energy sector. In addition, the prime minister will also meet the British ministers, senior officials and experts in the energy sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2014.