Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Sunday said that role of expatriate Pakistanis is of vital importance in the progress and prosperity of their country and he believes that expatriates are rendering invaluable services to their country.
He urged upon expatriates to invest in their country and fully benefit from the incentives and facilities being offered by the Punjab government. He said that Punjab government has created a conducive atmosphere for investment and all out facilities are being extended to investors on priority basis. He said that provincial government is providing all out encouragement to foreign investors in the province and maximum facilities are being given to them under one roof.
Addressing the participants of a reception hosted in his honour in London, the Chief Minister said that the role of expatriate Pakistanis in the development and progress of Pakistan is highly commendable. However, they should play a more effective and vibrant role for the uplift and prosperity of their country. He said that Punjab government is taking all possible steps for the improvement of law and order situation. Special measures have been taken for the protection of life and property of investors due to which the province is emerging as a hub of safe foreign investment. He said that a number of projects of public welfare are being executed with the cooperation of Turkey, Iran and other countries.
He said that UK-based Pakistanis can play an important role for the progress and prosperity of Punjab through investment, collaboration and public-private partnership in different sectors. He said that there is a need for collective efforts to put Pakistan on the road to progress and development and cooperation of overseas Pakistanis is of vital importance for this purpose.
Shahbaz Sharif further said that federal government has pushed the country into darkness due to its incompetence and corruption and despite entering into 21st century the country is still heading towards decline and downfall. The Chief Minister said that despite the tenure of four and a half years of the current rulers, the country is still far from its goal. He said that fruit of democracy has been wasted by loot and nepotism of federal rulers. He said that worst energy crisis has halted the process of progress and development of the country.
He said that the whole country is facing severe energy crisis but Punjab which is the most populated province of the country has been more affected by the power crisis than other provinces. Shahbaz Sharif said that without relying on the Centre, generation of energy under a reliable system is on the top of the agenda of Punjab government and during his recent visit to Turkey, Britain and Germany, Punjab government has held successful negotiations for benefiting from the technology and expertise of these countries while agreements have also been reached to overcome energy problem.
He said that there is wide scope in solar energy sector in Pakistan and Punjab government wants foreign companies to invest in solar energy sector. He said that important progress has been made in this direction during his visit and a German company will soon start solar energy project in Punjab.
The participants of the reception paid rich tributes to Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for his efforts for the progress and welfare of the people and taking personal interest in resolving the problems of UK-based Pakistanis.