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LAHORE: Knowledge is the best weapon against extremism and the government is, therefore, committed to lifting the standards of education, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.
He was speaking to British High Commissioner Philip Barton.
The chief minister said those who had killed 133 children in a terrorist attack at a school in Peshawar on December 16 would be brought to book. He said the nation would fight terrorism with unity.
“All political and religious parties have agreed on the National Action Plan against terrorism.”
Sharif said terrorism was a major hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity. He praised Pakistan Army for its fight against terrorism. He said more than 40,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives in the war. “The sacrifices rendered by us are unprecedented. We must win this war to secure the future of our youth,” he said.
The chief minister stressed the need for promoting economic ties with the United Kingdom. He said various programmes in education, health and skill development sectors were underway with the cooperation of the Department for International Development (DFID).
He said modern Daanish Schools had been set up in less-developed areas to provide equal opportunities for elite education to students there. More employment opportunities had been created for the youth with the introduction of skills development programmes.
“Such programmes have helped thousands of youth live on their own.” He said the government was pursuing a programme of mother and child health in collaboration with the DFID.
Barton said he was deeply grieved on the killing of schoolchildren and teachers in Peshawar. He said the United Kingdom would continue to cooperate with Pakistan.
He said the chief minister had taken commendable practical steps for the progress and prosperity of the people of the province.
Livestock
The chief minister said development of livestock and dairy sector was must for a strong economy.
He was chairing a meeting to review steps taken for livestock and dairy development and improvement of slaughterhouses.
Sharif favoured benefitting from the expertise of private sector for the improvement of livestock and dairy sector. He called for making a policy in this regard.
The meeting approved a ban on the purchase of buffaloes and other livestock without a DNA test.
The chief minister said the culture of research should be promoted. He said a modern slaughterhouse in Lahore had helped provide good quality meat to citizens. Meat export had also increased, he said.
Sharif said a crackdown on illegally built slaughterhouses and those dealing in carcass meat should continue. He ordered action against those adulterating livestock feed. He said vaccination of cattle against various diseases should continue.
Earlier, the livestock and dairy development secretary briefed the chief minister about the measures taken for the uplift of livestock sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2014.