Violence, terrorism won’t be allowed under guise of protest, says Maryam

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned violence of the PTI activists and expressed grief over the martyrdom of a police constable in the recent PTI protest.

“Violence and terrorism are not allowed under the guise of protest. You will get an answer,” said Maryam Nawaz Sharif while strongly condemning acts of violence and terrorism by PTI protestors in which a constable of Islamabad police embraced martyrdom.

She added, “People ask what kind of peaceful protest it was in which hundreds of police officers were attacked and injured.”

She highlighted, “The movement has taken the form of an armed group.”

Punjab chief minister said, “Because of the so-called protest, people’s business was affected, millions of citizens faced problems.” She asked what kind of this politics is where the people were tortured and violence was committing against the police officers deputed to protect life and property of people. There should be no mercy and exemption for those who took the path of violence and terrorism.”

Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the incident. She offered condolence and expressed her heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family of the martyred constable Hameed Shah.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had a meeting with Sebastian Sayus, Ambassador of Argentina to Pakistan to discuss various options to promote cooperation in the fields of livestock, agriculture, information technology and other industrial sectors. She agreed to launch a pilot project of silos in Okara.

Punjab chief minister said, “Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Argentina are improving.”

She added, “Measures will be taken to increase business-to-business interaction between the two countries.”

She said, “We want to benefit from Argentina’s meat processing technology.” She added, “There is a need to further promote trade with Argentina in the fields of livestock, sports and surgical equipment.”

She highlighted, “Government is ensuring the provision of all facilities including security to foreign investors in Pakistan.”

Punjab chief minister underscored, “In Punjab, the immense investment opportunities in various sectors are available.”

Argentinian Ambassador Sebastian Sayus said, “Cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceutical, information technology and industrial sectors will be further promoted.” He added, “We want to work with Punjab in the field of livestock and biotechnology.” He vowed, “I will play a role in improving government-to-government and business-to-business coordination to promote trade.” He said, “We will also provide technical assistance to Punjab in the field of food security.”

Argentina’s Deputy Head of Mission Mrs Erica Lucero, Senator Pervez Rashid and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman also attended the meeting.