World acknowledges ‘Punjab Speed’

LAHORE: Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif not only enjoys popularity among the polity within the country, but he is also equally acknowledged by the global leaders as a leader and administrator par excellence.

Media record of different events in the past shows how Shahbaz was eulogised for his hard work and the “Punjab Speed”. While welcoming Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Istanbul on September 16, 2017, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commended Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s leadership skills. “Under your leadership, the journey of development and prosperity of the Punjab is commendable and the efforts of Pakistan government for the provision of energy as well as the eradication of terrorism are worthwhile,” he expressed his sentiments.

“The projects initiated in collaboration with Turkey in the Punjab province are vivacious symbols of Pak-Turk friendship,” said Erdogan, adding that his country wants to see a strengthened Pakistan.

Patchamutha Illango, Country Director World Bank, said that the dynamic and committed leadership of Shahbaz has taken excellent steps for the welfare of the people in Punjab. He promised that collaboration in socio-economic development will be further increased with Punjab government.

Ms Xiaohong Yang, Country Director Asian Development Bank, said the reputation of Punjab Speed had spread the world-over and due to the completion of Punjab Safe City project, Lahore, had become a fully secured city for investment and tourism. She said, development vision of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was commendable and exemplary and development projects had catalyzed positive change in the province.

In fact, she said, financial collaboration with a rapidly developing Punjab was an honour for the ADB and leadership abilities of Shahbaz Sharif for composite development in Punjab cannot be forgotten.

Minister of Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Yajun, during a meeting on May 16, 2017, while praising the hard-work and phenomenal leadership of Shahbaz Sharif, said that Punjab had attained major development goals in his tenure which was surprising as well as impressive.

He stated that Shahbaz has taken concrete and striking measures for the economic and social development of the province. He added that due to the personal interest of the Punjab CM, many Chinese companies were working in Pakistan and a few of them had invested in various projects of Punjab as they highly regarded Shahbaz’s exhilarating leadership.

Wang Yajun further said that he was pleased to see the streets of the cities beautiful and clean, which obviously was due to the management of Shahbaz Sharif. He added that he liked the dedication and urge of CM for public service as he was neither tired of work nor took any rest, which were the unique qualities of his personality which made him a popular public leader. The President of Exim Bank of China, during a meeting on May 24, 2017, told Shahbaz that the Punjab government has come up to the expectations of Chinese financial institutions with regard to quality, speed and transparency. “We feel fully secured and satisfied about the projects having involvement of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, because he is known for completing work well in time, and he has also proved this thing with his actions.”

President of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Mr. Gu Shu in Beijing held discussions with Shahbaz on December 24, 2017 for enhancing investment in energy, infrastructure, and other sectors. The ICBC President, on the occasion, said the Punjab has proved, with its performance under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, that it has tremendous opportunities of investment; and added that cooperation for the promotion of investment in the Punjab would continue.

Jononov SherAli Saidamirovich, the Tajik ambassador, in a statement, said the overcoming electricity crisis is an incredible achievement as he remembers the power outages nine hours in the past, but now it’s wiping out, which is definitely a great victory of Shahbaz Sharif’s government.

Ali Alizada, Ambassador of Azerbaijan said a visionary Shahbaz was striving to provide services to his people and the entire Punjab was progressing with Lahore.

Belarus Ambassador Anderei Emolovich , while sharing his thoughts said that for the development and prosperity of the people, CM has implemented his vision vigilantly through hard-work. Ambassador from Egypt moreover added that because of his foremost leadership his government had achieved the set goals.

Nigerian Ambassador Adebayo A Olaniyi, while talking to Shahbaz, said that he himself had witnessed development and prosperity of Punjab. “The projects of infrastructure had been executed really fast for which your performance was highly appreciated as Punjab province was moving towards improvement due to your commitment and passionate leadership,” he added. Sudanese Ambassador Tahir Taha told the CM that he was impressed by his speech last night in which he had given a wonderful message of unity and strength to his nation.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Jaya Nath C.P Lokuketagodage said that under the vibrant leadership of Shahbaz revolutionary measures had been taken in the fields of education, health, energy and infrastructure. He said that CM Punjab was a distinguished leader who worked hard on public welfare projects. Australian Deputy High Commissioner Brek Btlay said the Punjab province had achieved success under his dynamic leadership.

Serdar Deniz, Consul-General of Turkey, said the amazing development of Punjab was due to Shahbaz’s robust leadership.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said he was impressed by the rapid development of Lahore. Under Shahbaz Sharif leadership, public welfare projects have been completed speedily, he added and further said that development is quite visible in Lahore and Punjab and Chief Minister has taken practical steps for the people of province. In fact, Chief Minister is a visionary leader of Pakistan and it is in my knowledge that CM enjoys good cordial relations with Chinese President and Prime Minister.

He said the Chinese leadership appreciates Shahbaz Sharif because he gives practical results and his personality is filled with the passions of hard work, commitment and dedication. We shall cooperate with the Punjab and further investments will be made in different sectors here, he added. We shall also ensure timely completion of ongoing projects in the Punjab and shall move further side by side with you in the journey of development and prosperity, he further said.

Former Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said that Shahbaz had completed the project under “Punjab Speed” and the credit of making Punjab an ideal province goes to him. aHe said that due to his personal efforts work done in Punjab was palpable.

Guo Ping, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei, said that another milestone in the form of Safe City Project has been achieved and there is no doubt the Punjab government is utilizing latest technology for the protection of life and property of the people which is a commendable step.

Dr Isharat Husain, former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, said at the launch ceremony of his book ‘Governing the Ungovernable‘ that Shahbaz Sharif’s achievements in different areas especially the energy sector deserve huge applause as he has practically ensured transparency, merit and competence in various projects and government institutions.

He further stated Shahbaz’s performance in his previous tenure (2008-2013) was also superb about which he has categorically stated in Chapter 2, page 56 of his book as to how it contributed to PML-N victory in the 2013 general elections.

“After all, it was the impressive track record of the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz during the 2008-13 period which won the votes for the PML-N.“ Dr Isharat Husain specifically mentioned that if Pakistan wants to move economically ahead, the approach and working style of CM Shahbaz is the best in this regard.