LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that corruption-free culture has been promoted in Punjab and all development projects are being executed in a transparent manner. He said terrorism and extremism were the outcome of poverty, ignorance and socio-economic injustices and promotion of economic activities and equipping the youth with modern education was essential for eradicating these menaces. He said America should cooperate with Pakistan in energy sector for accelerating the pace of development as well as resolving the problems of the people. He stressed upon US Agency for International Development (USAID) to increase its cooperation in education, information technology, agriculture, livestock and other sectors in Punjab. He was talking to a delegation of USAID led by its Administrator Dr Rajiv Shah which called and discussed with him matters regarding cooperation at Chief Ministers Secretariat here on Tuesday. Minister for Education Mujtaba Shujar Rehman, MPA Zaib Jaffar, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary Education were also present on the occasion. Talking to the USAID delegation, the CM said Pakistan was passing through a critical phase and facing the challenges of extremism and terrorism. Pakistan Army was playing a commendable role in the war on terror and had proved its mettle by successful operation in Swat and Waziristan, he added. He said Pak Army, Police and the people had created history by rendering numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the whole nation stood united to root out this curse. He said international cooperation was of vital importance in the war on terror and the world community should play an effective role in the development of Pakistan. He said there was a need for creation of job opportunities for the youth, promotion of education and economic activities as well as infrastructure development otherwise the efforts for elimination of terrorism would go in vain. Shahbaz Sharif said besides military operation, provision of basic facilities to the people of Swat and Waziristan was of utmost importance. He said Pakistan was facing serious energy crisis and development in education, health, industrial and other sectors was not possible without power. He said America should extend cooperation to Pakistan in energy sector on emergent basis. He said the US cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors was commendable but energy sector had assumed tremendous importance and there was a need for immediate steps for riding the people of load-shedding. The chief minister further said all out resources were being utilised for the rapid development of the province and provision of health, education and other facilities to the masses. He said there was a vast scope of development in agriculture, livestock and other sectors in Punjab. The leader of USAID delegation Dr Rajiv Shah said America was extending cooperation to Pakistan in various sectors including energy sector. He said after meeting with the chief minister Punjab he had gained knowledge about the priorities of Punjab government and cooperation would be increased in various sectors. He said US AID office was also being established in Lahore for this purpose. Commending the steps for the development of education sector, setting up of IT labs and other projects, he said Punjab government was moving in the right direction.