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Friday March 29, 2024

Zarb-e-Azb brings back spring festivity: Mamnoon

Hopes energy crisis will be subsided by next three years; Pakistan will have a raised capacity of water reservoirs in near future; Pak-China Economic Corridor Projectwill usher in a new era of development in the entire region

By Moayyed Jafri
March 06, 2015
LAHORE
PRESIDENT Mamnoon Hussain has said that the efficiency of Zarb-e-Azb has brought back the festivity of the spring season and this Horse and Cattle Show marks an end to the fear, bringing joy of this season to every civilian from the farmer to the industrialist and the general public.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Horse and Cattle Show, after an 11-year pause, at the Fortress Stadium Thursday, the President said the resumption of this festival marks an end to the fear as the brave men of Pakistan army will hunt down the terror to extinction.
Arriving at the venue amidst strict security, the president was received by the Punjab Acting Governor Rana Mohammad Iqbal, IG Punjab Police Mushtaq Sukhera, Adviser to CM on Health Salman Rafique, Punjab Rangers Director General Maj-Gen Khan Tahir Javed Khan and Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Gondal. The ceremony started with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran followed by national anthem.
Punjab Acting Governor presented a memento to President Mamnoon Hussain, while Punjab Information Secretary presented a photo album of his Lahore visit.
The president was treated with amazing performances, ranging from traditional war craft and parades to stunts, dances and music at the inaugural session of the three-day event. Students, large number of people from different walks of life and officials attended the inaugural ceremony of the show that will last till March 8.
The president identified energy and water supply as being at the core of agriculture and industrial development. He said that robust crops, agriculture produce and availability of adequate energy would definitely ensure development in all sectors of economy, thus enabling farmers, livestock farmers, industrialists and traders to celebrate the spring festivity with more pomp and show.
Regarding the energy issue, Mamnoon Hussain expressed hope that the electricity and energy crisis would be significantly subsided by next three years as 15 new electricity projects were being initiated in collaboration with China and the World Bank.
Talking about the importance of water reservoirs to bolster agriculture, he said that with the government’s focus on the new dams being constructed, Pakistan would have a raised capacity of water reservoirs in near future, which would subsequently help to increase country’s agricultural yields, he added. Trade, he said, was as crucial as a lifeline for any country. He opined that the vital project of Pak-China Economic Corridor would not only usher in a new era of development and prosperity in the country but also in the entire region.
Stressing the need for timely completion of this project, and its importance, he urged the people to play their role in maintaining a cordial atmosphere. He said struggle could make a hard target achievable, adding that China became second biggest economy of the world through struggle and persistent efforts.
Following its neighbouring friend, he said, Pakistani nation would have to renew its pledge to eliminate corrupt elements and practices, and ‘if we succeed to do that, Pakistan would not be facing any more crisis or problems as today.’
The president said that livestock sector was an important component of economic growth and the Punjab government had made commendable work for promotion of this sector. However, he called for making more efforts in this direction.