LAHORE: American Consul General Zachary Harkenrider called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday.
According to a handout out, the meeting discussed matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various sectors, particularly the energy sector. Shahbaz Sharif said that the friendship of Pakistan and Americawas based on multidimensional relations and increasing cooperation of America in the energy sector of Pakistanwas commendable. He said that economy of Pakistanwas progressing speedily due to which energy requirements were also increasing. Referring to Pak-America relations, the chief minister said that Pakistan and Americawere partners in promoting tolerance, patience and forbearance and both countries hada common approach in theregard.
He said that setting up a society based on tolerance, moderation and patience was his mission and thegreat objective of Quaid-e-Azam would certainly be achieved. "We are determined to makingPakistan a welfare state in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and a welfare state can only be established by promoting tolerance, patience and moderation in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam," he added. He said that there was no room for terrorism and extremism in Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The chief minister said that the entire nation was united for ridding Pakistan of terrorism and those targeting innocent people were enemiesof humanity and deserved no leniency.
Shahbaz Sharif said, "We highly value increasing American cooperation in the energy sector and hope that mutual relations between both countries will further strengthen in the coming days." American Consul General Zachary Harkenrider said that sacrifices of Pakistan in the war against terrorism could not be forgotten. He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was serving the people diligently and his performance was laudable.