LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said terrorism is a common issue of all nations and requires collective efforts for its solution.
“Pakistan is making sincere efforts for durable peace in the region and has assured Afghanistan that its enemies cannot be our friends,” the chief minister told British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London yesterday.
The two leaders discussed the security situation in the region of South Asia besides matters relating to education, health, energy and other sectors. Provincial Minister for Finance Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, MNA, Khusro Bakhtiar and Adviser to CM Azmul Haq also jointed them.
Shahbaz Sharif is on a four-day visit to United Kingdom.
The CM highlighted the strong relations between Pakistan and Britain, saying bilateral cooperation in various sectors as well as volume of trade has increased between the two countries during the PML-N government. “Efforts are on to increase trade volume between the two countries to billion dollars annually.”
Condemning the terror attacks in Paris, Shahbaz Sharif called upon all the terrorism affected nations to join hands against this scourge. “This act of barbarism has shocked the entire world.”
He recalled, in the so-called war between Communism and Islam during 80s, Pakistan was made a frontline state and when Soviet Union withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan was left alone. “As a result, Pakistan received nothing except kalashnikov and heroin culture and terrorism,” and a burden of three million Afghan refugees.”
Lauding the sacrifices of the Pak Armies and the Pakistani people in the war against terrorsim, the CM said the incidents of terrorism in Pakistan were coming to an end.
The British foreign secretary also commended the sacrifices and efforts of Pakistan towards eliminating terrorism and extremism.
Later, agreements were signed between Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and two institutions of Britain. TEVTA Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Sheikh signed the document on behalf of Punjab government.
Separately while addressing a session held under the aegis of Royal Institute of International Affairs, Shahbaz Sharif said Pak-Army in operation Zarb-e-Azab has weakened the terrorists. “Winning this war against terror is not easy. But Pakistan is fully aware of the difficulties and the nation is in high morale.”
Anchor of BBC World and writer of International repute, Brant Jones acted as host.
The CM said Pakistan cannot be turned according to the progressive vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah unless prejudices, intolerance and extremism is eliminated from the society. He said that the government is striving to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone regardless of faith, color and creed.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the bright future of Pakistan depends upon strengthening of institutions and continuity of democracy.
Replying to a question with regard to Jhelum incident (wherein religious place of a minority was set ablaze by a mob), the chief minister said that the government would not tolerate injustice with any person. He assured that the elements behind the attack would not escape punishment.