LAHORE Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the whole nation is united in the war against terrorism as the aim of progress and prosperity of the country cannot be achieved without rooting out this scourge. The Pak Army, law-enforcement agencies and the people are rewriting history through their sacrifices to rid the country of terrorism, while the Punjab government is taking solid measures to curb terrorism and in addition to setting up a separate department, cooperation of Turkey has also been acquired for the training of police on modern lines, he said on Friday, while talking to new High Commissioner of Canada in Pakistan Ross Hynes. Member Provincial Assembly Syed Zaeem Qadri, Vice-Chairman Punjab Investment Board, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Commerce and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority were also present on the occasion. Shahbaz Sharif also mentioned that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) was cooperating for the uplift of education as well as other sectors in Punjab, and underlined the need to promote economic and trade relations further as well as increasing exports between two countries. The CM pointed out that Canada and Punjab could also launch joint ventures in various sectors. Pakistan is facing shortage of power and gas having adverse effects on agriculture, industries and social sector. While, the Punjab govt is working on various projects of power generation from alternative sources, and Canada and Punjab can launch joint ventures in this sector, and Canada should also consider cooperation in hydel power projects, he suggested. Referring to measures taken for development of the province, the CM said the govt was taking solid steps for elimination of poverty and illiteracy, and the govt was prioritising the education sector. He told the High Commissioner that IT labs had been set up in more than 4000 schools with the cooperation of international institutions. The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund has been set up first time and scholarships are being provided to the poor, but talented students to continue their academic activities. The Danish School project for providing modern education facilities to children of backward areas is being implemented expeditiously, and the Schools in Bahawalpur division will start functioning from next month, which will also help in curbing extremism, he said. Ross Hynes said Canada and Pakistan had cordial relations, and Canada was extending cooperation for the uplift of education as well as other sectors in Punjab. He further said Canada would also consider cooperation in hydel power projects in the Punjab. He said it was an undeniable fact that promotion of education could help in elimination of poverty and ignorance and achievement of the goal of national progress and prosperity. He also appreciated the measures being taken by Punjab govt for the uplift of education sector.