Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday said that solid steps will be taken to further promote relations as Germany is the best partner of Pakistan. “Pakistan and Germany enjoy strong friendly ties and the time warrants turning this relation into partnership in all field.”
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was talking to German Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Bernhard Stephan Schlagheck who called on him at CM’s House on Friday. They discussed different matters including the expansion of bilateral cooperation between Germany and Punjab.
Usman Buzdar said that the government will take advantage of German expertise to develop the automobile industry, IT, health and social sectors on modern lines. Punjab will take a lead for promotion of cooperation in different sectors as different facilities are provided to the investors under one roof.
He asked the German investors to take benefit of tremendous investment opportunities as special incentives were being provided for foreign investment. All the necessary facilities are provided under one roof in special economic zones being established in different districts, he added.
Similarly, the CM further said the construction sector has a lot of potential and five cement factories have been issued NOCs while 12 more NOCs will be issued soon.
The Punjab chief minister emphasized that development of less developed areas has been focused and a special package has been given for backward areas of south Punjab. The establishment of the south Punjab secretariat is an important initiative as the development process has been brought to the doorstep of the common man. On the other side, the CM pointed out that the government is fully focused on the development of the agriculture sector and the latest technology will be utilized for enhancing cotton production.
Speaking on the occasion, German Ambassador Mr. Bernhard Stephan Schlagheck said that he is happy to visit Punjab and appreciated the CM’s vision for the development of backward areas. German investment companies are interested to invest in different sectors in Punjab and cooperation will be further expanded, he added.
Chairman P&D, CEO PBIT and others were also present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, former minister for Interiors Ijaz Shah called on CM Buzdar and discussed matters of mutual interests. Both agreed to adopt collective measures to overcome the menace of the drugs trade and further decided that the federal, as well as the Punjab governments, will launch a joint crackdown against drug peddlers.
The CM emphasised that the elements involved in narcotics trade will be strictly curbed and assured that the police, excise and other departments will provide every assistance to the anti narcotics force. The drug traffickers are the enemy of the whole humanity and indiscriminate crackdown will be continued against them, the CM affirmed.
Ijaz Shah stated that the elements involved in the business of narcotics do not deserve any leniency and added that they will be brought under the net of the law in collaboration with the Punjab government. Joint action will be initiated against drug peddlers, he said and asserted that there is no logic in the institution’s bashing.
