Modern knowledge a useful investment: Shahbaz

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the younger generation is guarantee to a bright future of Pakistan, and provision of resources for equipping the youth with modern knowledge is a useful investment and the government will provide all-out funds for this purpose.

He said the Punjab government had devised a programme to send 500 youths to China to learn Chinese language. He said the first batch of 66 students would leave for China tomorrow.

He said that China had become the second biggest economic power of the world.  He said learning Chinese language was the need of the hour. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government had started a big programme for introducing Chinese language, history and culture. No doubt, this programme will increase friendship, economic cooperation and relations between the two countries, he expressed these views while addressing the first batch of 66 students selected for two-year Chinese language course here on Wednesday. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren was also present.

He said that all-out resources would be utilised for the bright future of the country. He said tha Punjab government would send 500 girl and boy students to China for learning Chinese language and the government would bear all the expenditure in this regard.

Addressing the students, Shahbaz Sharif said that after learning Chinese language, they had to play the role of master-trainers.

He said that a bright future was waiting for them. He said that  those showing outstanding performance in the course would be encouraged and provided with jobs in universities and colleges.  He said they had to prove through their character that Pak-China friendship was everlasting.

He said that they were going to such a country, which had made rapid development through hard work and commitment and there was supremacy of law in that country. He said there was no gulf between the rich and the poor in China and equal opportunities of progress were available to all citizens.  Shahbaz Sharif said that China was a reliable and sincere friend of Pakistan and had stood by Pakistan in every hour of need. He said that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and a number of other countries were also friends of Pakistan but Pak-China friendship was unprecedented. He said that China had become a big economic force and made tremendous progress in cement, steel, textile, energy and other sectors. He said that China had proved to be a true friend of Pakistan by giving a historic economic package of 46 billion dollars. He said that it was not a loan but an investment which would accelerate economic activities and create hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. 

The chief minister said the students going for learning Chinese language course were selected on merit. He said that the first batch going to China comprised 48 sons and 18 daughters of the nation. He thanked Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, the Pakistani ambassador to China, the chief secretary and other officials concerned as the first batch was going to China with their efforts.The chief minister also gave laptops to the students going to China. Shahbaz Sharif said that he would also meet the students during his visit to China and review the progress.

Replying to the questions of students, the chief minister said that Pakistan would  become the country of Quaid and Iqbal only when the gulf between the rich and the poor was eliminated. He said that Pakistan had been put on road to progress and prosperity. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said said China and Pakistan were good neighbours, friends, partners and brothers, and the friendship between both countries was strengthening with the passage of time. He said that the role of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif  was commendable in enhancing friendship and economic cooperation. 

The Chinese Consul General will remain in contact with the university in Beijing and extend facilities to the students participating in the course in Chinese language.