LAHORE: A high level delegation of Royal College of Defense Studies, Britain met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday. Major General (r) Simon Leslia Porter led the delegation. The chief minister said that Pakistan is currently facing terrorism and energy crisis while empowerment of youth through socio-economic measures is also a big challenge. He said that government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is determined to cope with challenges and is progressing under a comprehensive strategy. He said that political and military leadership and the entire nation are on one page in the war against terrorism, adding that terrorists have been defeated through operation Zarb-e-Azb. “Pakistan has sacrificed more than 50,000 precious lives in the war against terrorism, which is a clear proof of its unflinching determination. Pak Army, police, politicians and every section of the society have laid their lives in the war against terrorism,” he added. Shahbaz said that dream of progress and prosperity cannot be materialised without eliminating the menace of terrorism. “In order to win this war, specific mindset will also have to be defeated. There is also a need of taking socio-economic steps, eliminating poverty and creating new jobs opportunities besides empowering new generation, as the menace of terrorism and extremism can only be defeated through education, health and other socio-economic measures. Reducing gulf between the rich and the poor is also necessary in this regard,” the CM added. He said that government is implementing a comprehensive programme of education, health, skill development and empowering women and the youth. He said that government would have to provide job opportunities to the jobless, promote education and enable youth stand on their own feet by making skilled force. All these steps would have to be taken unanimously so that the youth could be empowered and stand on its own feet, he added. He said that tireless efforts are being made for making Pakistani society a developed one and expressed hope that time is not far when Pakistan would be known as a dignified country in the comity of nations. The chief minister said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and which are being utilised for the development of the country, adding that it is need of the hour to equip youth with modern knowledge and Punjab government has set up Daanish Schools in backward areas of South Punjab in this regard. He said that boys and girls of resourceless families are admitted to Daanish Schools and they are becoming custodian of peace, tolerance and accommodation. He said that Punjab government has distributed millions of laptops worth billions of rupees among the talented students during the last few years. Similarly, IT labs have been established in government schools, he added. Shahbaz said that scholarships are being given to less privileged but talented students in prestigious educational institutions through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. He said that Pakistan was achieved to ensure the rule of socio-economic justice and today we are marching towards this goal and achieving it is our mission. Referring to government steps for elimination of energy crisis, the chief minister said that work has been carried out speedily on energy projects during the last three years and power houses have been set up with great struggle. Maj Gen (r) Simon Leslia Porter and other members of the delegation said that vision of public welfare by Shahbaz Sharif is appreciable, adding that excellent steps have been introduced in development strategy of the chief minister. The delegation of Royal Collage of Defense Studies England comprised army officers of different countries. Provincial Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Member Punjab Assembly Saira Iftikhar and former attorney general Salman Butt were present on the occasion.