Germany to help resolve energy crisis in Pakistan

CM says CPEC will eliminate terrorism

LAHORE

State Secretary of Germany Stephan Steinlein has said that senior officials of 17 big companies of Germany have accompanied him on this visit to Pakistan and full cooperation will be extended towards energy projects in Pakistan especially Punjab.

The State Secretary while talking to the chief minister said he was pleased over the acknowledgement of transparency by the heads of German companies regarding the projects in the province. He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was an active and dynamic person while his team was also determined and hardworking. He assured the chief minister that Germany would extend all-out cooperation in resolving energy crisis in the country. He said the situation in Pakistan was much better and there was a favourable atmosphere for investment. Senior Vice-President of a prominent German company Siemens and other officials appreciated Shahbaz Sharif for ensuring transparency in development projects in Punjab.  A delegation of investors and heads of different German companies working in Pakistan led by State Secretary of Germany Federal Foreign Office Stephan Steinlein called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Friday.The State Secretary of Germany Federal Foreign Office and heads of German companies openly acknowledged the transparency in development projects in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and appreciated his policies in this regard. German Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Ina Lepel was also present on the occasion.

 They said though their company had not been able to get contract for gas power projects but the way bidding process and other matters were handled transparently was unprecedented and credit for this goes to Shahbaz Sharif. German investors said the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had promoted transparency in projects. They said due to transparent policies of the PML-N government, German companies were taking keen interest in investment in Pakistan especially Punjab. Consultant of German companies working in Pakistan also lauded transparency in solar power projects and said an excellent environment had been provided for investment in Pakistan especially Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Germany should promote trade and economic relations. He said time had come to strengthen economic ties between the two countries and setting up of the office of Pakistan-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry would boost these relations. He said Pakistan was facing the challenge of terrorism and energy crisis; however, the government was determined to resolve these issues. He said political and military leadership as well as Pakistani people were united to root out the menace of terrorism. He said due to supreme sacrifices of Pakistan Army, law enforcement agencies and police, the incidents of terrorism had substantially reduced. He said the war against terrorism would be taken to its logical end and no effort would be spared in this regard.

Shahbaz Sharif said that besides use of force, provision of education, health, jobs as well as skill development was essential for defeating terrorism and extremism; therefore, government was taking comprehensive measures for the uplift of social sector. He said work was in progress on Safe City Project for the protection of life and property of citizens and this project would play an important role in ensuring safety to people. He said Safe City Project would be extended to all big cities.

Similarly, he said, billions of rupees were being spent for the provision of basic amenities to the masses. He said huge funds had been allocated for provision of potable water to the masses. He said special attention was being paid to development of education sector and new classrooms were being constructed at a cost of billions of rupees.

Moreover, he said, a special scholarship was being given to girl students of backward districts. He said the government was not only utilising its own resources for resolving energy crisis but energy projects under CPEC were also being completed expeditiously. He said a new example of transparency and standard had been set in the gas-based power projects of 3,600 megawatts and these projects were being implemented by federal and Punjab governments jointly.

He said that acknowledgement of transparency in projects by German companies working in Pakistan was an honour not only for the Punjab government but for the whole country. He said that solar, wind, hydel and coal power projects were being set up under CPEC and would result in availability of thousands of megawatts electricity. He said that CPEC would help in eliminating terrorism and extremism as it would create job opportunities as well as strengthen economic and industrial sectors. He said that cooperation of Germany in skill development, technical training and educational sectors would be welcomed.