ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan and is keen to enhance cooperation in diverse fields
In a meeting with Azerbaijan Defence Minister Yavar Jamalov at Prime Miniter’s House, Premier Shairf said cooperation in defence, energy, commercial and economic fields essential for mutual benefit of both the countries.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbassi.
The prime minister recalled his meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at Davos in recent past during which both the leaders had agreed to enhance the ties between the two states.
Yavar thanked the prime minster and extended greetings on behalf of the president of Azerbaijan. He said that Azerbaijan is keen to explore new opportunities to import defence products and raw material from Pakistan.
He invited Pakistan to participate in the international Defence Exhibition being organised by Azerbaijan in coming September with special reference to JF-17 thunder.
Appreciating the economic policies of the Pakistan government, he also stressed need to increase the bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of trade and economics, and agreed to continue the joint ministerial meetings to find out new opportunities.
Later, the prime minister told the defence minister that that Pakistan will participate in the upcoming exhibition.
NHA chairman briefs PM on development projects: National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar gave a comprehensive briefing to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the status of ongoing as well as future development projects across the country at PM House on Tuesday.
The meeting was informed that the prime minister will break ground of Havelian-Thakot, Multan-Sukkur, DI Khan-Hakla, Lahore-Multan and Sialkot-Lahore motorways during the next three weeks.
The prime minister was briefed that utmost transparency has been ensured while initiating these projects. Premier
Sharif was apprised by the chairman that infrastructure development projects worth Rs 800 billion, including CPEC projects, will be completed during the next two to three years.
The prime minister said that the present government’s vision of governance is based on transparency and efficiency and there will be no compromise on both these components. He said that the network of motorways being spread across the country will complement the regional connectivity initiative; speed up development process across the country; increase the economic growth of Pakistan and result in the generation of employment opportunities across the country.
“All these efforts are directed towards realising our development and reform agenda which revolves around the progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan,” the PM remarked. “Our endeavours have significantly raised the standard of living of the masses. Pakistan is different now from what it used to be three years ago,” the prime minister stated.
“The years ahead will witness a more progressive and developed Pakistan through our sincere and concerted efforts,” he concluded.
