Iron ore project to improve economy: CM

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting, here Tuesday, in which foreign experts presented report regarding evaluation and certification of iron ore reserves in Chiniot. 

The meeting also reviewed progress on the project in the light of the report. The chief minister commended foreign experts, secretary minerals and authorities concerned over preparation of the report in a professional manner.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said the project was of vital importance for the strengthening of Pakistan’ economy and efforts had been made for the evaluation of hidden wealth. He directed that as the steering committee set up for the project was fully empowered it should conduct regular meeting to review the pace of the project as well as take decisions on its own for furthering the project. He expressed satisfaction over the progress on the project. 

The chief minister was informed in a briefing that feasibility report regarding the project would be completed next month. Foreign experts apprised the chief minister of the evaluation and certification results regarding iron ore reserves. 

Provincial Ministers Sher Ali Khan, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, chief secretary, secretary finance, secretary minerals, Punjab Investment Board Chairman, officials concerned as well as German expert and the team leader Dr Jurgen Hartsch, Chief Geologist WSGRI Steve Carty, Geologist and Project Management Specialist Drew Craig and Zhao Shugang of Chinese company MCC were present on the occasion.

funds: Shahbaz Sharif has thanked the Chinese government and leadership for handing over funds of Rs33 billion to Pakistan for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project. He said that despite propaganda, speculations and doubts, provision of installment of Rs33 billion for the project by Exim Bank of China reflected full confidence of China in the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as the Punjab government. 

He said the Chinese Prime Minister had described Orange Line Metro Train as a gift for Pakistan. He said that Pakistani people could never forget this gift of China. He said that some opponents to Lahore Orange Line Metro Train launched baseless propaganda against this splendid public welfare project and tried to create uncertainty; however, the Chinese government and leadership had proved their unprecedented friendship with Pakistan by issuing funds for the project. 

Pak-China friendship: The Punjab government has decided to celebrate completion of 65 years of unprecedented friendship between Pakistan and China in an enthusiastic manner. It was decided in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Tuesday. 

These ceremonies will start from May 19 and continue till May 23. Besides seminars on the strong ties of friendship between Pakistan and China, a pictorial exhibition will also be arranged. 

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that completion of 65 years of Pak-China friendship would be celebrated in a befitting manner. He said that Pakistan and China are bound together in lasting relations of friendship; friendship between Pakistan and China had stood the test of time and China had helped Pakistan in the times of need and Pak-China friendship is exemplary, he added. 

sports facilities: Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting here Tuesday which approved a comprehensive programme for provision of modern sports facilities to youths in the cities of the province. 

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that sports play an important role in setting up a healthy society. He said the trends of extremism could also be curbed by promoting sports activities. He said the government was implementing a big project for promoting sports activities in the province. He said that playgrounds were being constructed throughout the province. Giving approval in principle to the programme of construction of sports complex, the chief minister said the project would be started from Lahore while sports complexes would also be constructed in other cities of the province under a phased programme. 

He said that outdoor and indoor sports facilities would be provided in sports complexes. He said that swimming pools, badminton, tennis, volleyball and other sports facilities would be provided in these sports complexes; the project of construction of sports complex is of vital importance and there is a need to execute this project expeditiously, he added.  The chief minister directed that where land was available, the construction work of sports complexes should be started immediately and the project should be furthered speedily.