LAHORE: Expressing resolve to work hard to make Pakistan strong and prosperous, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Friday that democracy will be more strengthened in future while the economy and defence sectors will also be stronger and impregnable.
While addressing a ceremony after performing flag-hoisting at Hazoori Bagh, CM said the independence day of Pakistan is an occasion of joy and happiness for every citizen of the country, as it is an occasion to pay rich tributes to Pakistan Movements leaders and martyrs who sacrificed for the motherland.
The CM emphasised that we cannot forget Indian Occupied Kashmir on this Independence Day as brave Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives in Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan and Kashmir are twins and I pray to Almighty Allah to grant freedom to the Kashmiris as soon as possible, he said.
Earlier, the CM laid a flower wreath on the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and offered fateha. He prayed for national prosperity and success of the freedom struggle of Kashmiris from Indian occupation in Occupied Kashmir. The CM also performed the national flag-hoisting ceremony at Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort. The national anthem was aired after the flag-hoisting.
Moreover, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Nawaf Bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malkiy called on CM Usman Buzdar at his office on Friday and extended good wishes to him on the independence day of Pakistan.
The CM prayed for the good health of Saudi King Shah Salman Bin Abdulaziz. During the meeting, different matters came under discussion including Pakistan-Saudi relations and promotion of bilateral cooperation. Talking on the occasion, the CM stated Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historically-important bilateral relations and the cooperation extended by the Saudi government for the development of the country is praiseworthy; Saudi Arabia has always stood with Pakistan and it fully supported us in every hour of trial. Usman Buzdar maintained that Pakistan gives great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia and added that Pakistan has succeeded in overcoming the spread of coronavirus.
He stated the foundation stone of Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project has been laid. It's planned to develop a new Lahore to keep the city's environment clean, he said. It would also provide secure investment opportunities to national and international investors and Saudi investors can take full benefit of many investment opportunities in this avant-garde project, he added.
The CM told that special economic zones are being set up where special incentives will be given to the investors and work on the special economic zone in Bahawalpur will be started soon. The Saudi investors will be provided facilities through one-window operation, the CM concluded.
The Saudi ambassador appreciated the steps taken for the welfare of the people and development of the social sector and took a keen interest in Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project. Pakistan and Saudi Arab are interlinked in strong relations and both have helped each other as brothers. I extend congratulations to the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day today, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020