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LAHORE: A historic agreement was signed between the Punjab government and a Chinese company, Metallurgical Corporation of China, for exploring iron reserves in Rajua (Chiniot).
According to the agreement, the Chinese company will give final opinion about the quality and quantity of iron deposits within 10 months. This agreement will pave the way for setting up first Pakistani steel mill in Punjab to be run with local iron.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Mineral Chaudhry Sher Ali, Punjab Mineral Corporation Chairman Sumar Mubarrak Mand, Mineral Development Secretary Dr Arshad Mehmood and officials of the Chinese company were present.
While addressing a public meeting on the occasion of signing of the agreement at the Municipal Hockey Stadium Chiniot, Shahbaz Sharif said that it was unfortunate that despite the fact that our country was rich in mineral resources, we were roaming around the world with a begging bowl.
He said that the PML-N government had given up this practice and the height of development would be achieved through benefiting from indigenous resources. He said that Pakistan would be made self-reliant, and the Chiniot agreement was an important step in this direction.
Shahbaz said that it was a historic day as the promise made with the people for exploring iron reserves was being fulfilled.
He said that during the era of dictator Pervez Musharraf, the contract of this important project was given to an unknown American company of a Pakistani at throwaway price illegally and without observing rules and regulations, which was very unfortunate, but the present government paid attention to this fraud and forced the thieves and dacoits to run away and the court also gave verdict keeping in view country’s interest.
The chief minister said, “We worked round the clock for forwarding this project and three secretaries of Mineral Department who showed negligence in implementation of the project of mineral reserves were transferred to other provinces.” He said that those officers who could not serve the people were his enemy.
Shahbaz said that he was successful before the people of Chiniot, as the agreement had been made with the Chinese company. He said that some people were of the view that there were no reserves of oil and gas in Punjab, but with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the land of Chiniot was rich in mineral resources.
He said that a target of 10 months instead of 18 months had been given to the Chinese company to explore the iron reserves. He said that if these resources were explored in the land of saints, the destiny of Pakistani generation would be changed. The chief minister said that the agreement with the Chinese company was an important step towards development and prosperity of the people and the country. He said that if iron reserves of high quality were explored, a big steel mill would be set up in the area and job opportunities be available to the local young engineers.
He said that if he could complete the Metro Bus Service project within a few months, the iron reserves would also be explored within a short period with the cooperation of the Chinese company.
Shahbaz said that three or four friendly countries had always supported Pakistan and China was one of them, which always played an important role in the development of Pakistan.
He said that during his visit to China in February, Chinese leadership announced to provide a sum of $32 billion for various projects in Pakistan, which was the biggest economic package in the history of the country. He said that Saudi Arabia had also given a gift of one and a half billion dollars to Pakistan without any condition, which reflected complete confidence of Saudi Arabia and King Abdullah in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Agreement signed for exploring iron ore in Chiniot
According to the agreement, the Chinese company will give final opinion about the quality and quantity of iron deposits within 10 months. This agreement will pave the way for setting up first Pakistani steel mill in Punjab to be run with local iron.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Mineral Chaudhry Sher Ali, Punjab Mineral Corporation Chairman Sumar Mubarrak Mand, Mineral Development Secretary Dr Arshad Mehmood and officials of the Chinese company were present.
While addressing a public meeting on the occasion of signing of the agreement at the Municipal Hockey Stadium Chiniot, Shahbaz Sharif said that it was unfortunate that despite the fact that our country was rich in mineral resources, we were roaming around the world with a begging bowl.
He said that the PML-N government had given up this practice and the height of development would be achieved through benefiting from indigenous resources. He said that Pakistan would be made self-reliant, and the Chiniot agreement was an important step in this direction.
Shahbaz said that it was a historic day as the promise made with the people for exploring iron reserves was being fulfilled.
He said that during the era of dictator Pervez Musharraf, the contract of this important project was given to an unknown American company of a Pakistani at throwaway price illegally and without observing rules and regulations, which was very unfortunate, but the present government paid attention to this fraud and forced the thieves and dacoits to run away and the court also gave verdict keeping in view country’s interest.
The chief minister said, “We worked round the clock for forwarding this project and three secretaries of Mineral Department who showed negligence in implementation of the project of mineral reserves were transferred to other provinces.” He said that those officers who could not serve the people were his enemy.
Shahbaz said that he was successful before the people of Chiniot, as the agreement had been made with the Chinese company. He said that some people were of the view that there were no reserves of oil and gas in Punjab, but with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the land of Chiniot was rich in mineral resources.
He said that a target of 10 months instead of 18 months had been given to the Chinese company to explore the iron reserves. He said that if these resources were explored in the land of saints, the destiny of Pakistani generation would be changed. The chief minister said that the agreement with the Chinese company was an important step towards development and prosperity of the people and the country. He said that if iron reserves of high quality were explored, a big steel mill would be set up in the area and job opportunities be available to the local young engineers.
He said that if he could complete the Metro Bus Service project within a few months, the iron reserves would also be explored within a short period with the cooperation of the Chinese company.
Shahbaz said that three or four friendly countries had always supported Pakistan and China was one of them, which always played an important role in the development of Pakistan.
He said that during his visit to China in February, Chinese leadership announced to provide a sum of $32 billion for various projects in Pakistan, which was the biggest economic package in the history of the country. He said that Saudi Arabia had also given a gift of one and a half billion dollars to Pakistan without any condition, which reflected complete confidence of Saudi Arabia and King Abdullah in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Agreement signed for exploring iron ore in Chiniot
