Govt to fast-track pace of work on CPEC, Riko Diq projects: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government is diligently working on the execution of CPEC and Reko Diq projects, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The premier stated this while talking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) in Lahore on Sunday. He reiterated his government’s resolve to religiously follow the CPEC and Reko Diq projects till their completion.

He said as far as our foreign policy was concerned, the government wanted to establish relations with all countries including brotherly Muslim states based on respect and mutual interests.

He expressed his resolve that the government wanted free and transparent elections in the country stressing the need to introduce electoral reforms.

The premier also informed the CPNE delegation that the government did not have any intention to restrict freedom of press. He assured the editors that journalists would be defended against all the anti-press laws including PECA Ordinance.

He told the delegation that his government had already entrusted the task to review the draconian PECA Ordinance to its law ministry.

He also appreciated the role of CPNE for the evolution of press freedom and development of democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

Shehbaz vowed to work with the CPNE for the promotion of journalistic responsibilities and security of journalists in the country

On power generation, he vowed that his government would ensure production of electricity and its transmission to consumers in an effective way.

He lamented that the previous government had put unbearable burden of foreign debts on poor people of Pakistan and made essential commodities out of the reach of poor people. He said his government was taking steps to ameliorate the lot of the downtrodden segment of society.

He called upon the nation to show solidarity so that we could be able to fix the tattered economy.

The meeting was attended by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Secretary Information Shaheera Shahi, and Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hassan.

The CPNE delegation comprised of its President Kazim Khan, Senior Vice President Ayaz Khan, Punjab Vice President Arshad Ahmad Arif, Secretary General Amir Mehmood and other CPNE office-bearers.