LAHORE - Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and China are tied in strong relations of mutual friendship, love and brotherhood.
He said this while talking to Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong who called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday. Progress with regard to investment in various development projects by Chinese investment companies in Pakistan particularly Punjab was discussed during the meeting.
The chief minister said that PML-N government valued the sincere cooperation of China for economic development and investment in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is continuing its efforts for achieving the targets of self-sufficiency in every sector and improving the living standard of the people by benefitting the speedy development model of China, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif thanked Chinese Ambassador over keen interest by Chinese government in development of Pakistan and good wishes of China for the people of Pakistan and added that Pakistanis are grateful to Chinese leadership on generous financial and technical assistance for the public welfare projects, regional development and national projects.
“The government is providing all possible assistance and facilities to the Chinese investors in Pakistan. He said that those creating hindrances in the development journey continuing with the cooperation of China have failed badly and become disappointed,” the CM held.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the development journey in energy and other sectors in Pakistan would continue with the cooperation of China. He said that new chapter of Pak-China friendship had started during the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the relations between both the countries had been converted into useful economic contacts.
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong appreciated the efforts of government for rehabilitation and assistance of flood affectees in Punjab. He said that China equally shares every grief of Pakistani people. He said that contacts between Pakistan and China have always remained active and China highly values the sentiments and affection of Pakistani people.
Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan is best friend of China and no hindrance can be created in Pak-China relations. He said that those people who did not want to see Pak-China cooperation had disappointed. He assured that China would continue cooperation in development of Pakistan.
Matters of mutual interest, economic cooperation and visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China also came under discussion during the meeting.
Separately, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that protest sit-ins had lost their importance as the people had buried the politics of subversion being practiced by the vested interest. He said that those staging sit-ins tried to inhibit the flow of foreign investment to the country as well as resolution of energy crisis through their negative politics. He said that 18 crore people will never forgive them on creating impediment in the development of the country.
The chief minister said this while talking to Federal Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanvir Hussain and General Retd Abdul Qayyum on Wednesday.
Shahbaz Sharif said that government was pursuing national agenda of development and stability of the country and prosperity of the people without caring any opposition. He said that no conspiracy could stop PML-N leadership from the mission of public service.
The chief minister said that the country is in the state of war and government is busy rehabilitation and relief activities for coping with the devastations of flood. He said that Pak Army is fighting with enemies of peace for survival of the country and expressed the hope that the country will become a haven of peace with the efforts and sacrifices of Pak Army.
Shahbaz Sharif also talked about the ongoing development projects in Punjab on this occasion and said that all possible resources were being utilised for bringing prosperity in the province.
SWEDISH ENVOY CALLS ON CM: Swedish Ambassador Tomas Rosander called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Wednesday. Matters of mutual interest, technical education, skill development, development of industrial sector and promotion of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.
Shahbaz Sharif said that best friendly relations exist between Pakistan and Sweden. He stressed the need for promoting economic and trade relations between both the countries.  He said that maximum exchange of trade delegations at public and private level is essential for promotion of relations.  The chief minister said that the Punjab government was paying special attention to the skill development for empowering youth.
He said that promotion of technical education and skill development was vital for development and prosperity. That is why, skills are being provided to the youth according to the market demands and a comprehensive programme is being implemented for this purpose which has yielded highly encouraging results, he added.
Swedish Ambassador Tomas Rosander said his country gave great importance to the relations with Pakistan and assured to continue cooperation in various sectors particularly in Punjab. Deputy Head of Mission of Sweden Carl Magnus Nilson was also present on the occasion.