LAHORE: A Chinese delegation led by the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing called on Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.During the meeting, various matters of mutual interest including Pak-China economic ties and CPEC projects came under discussion. It was also decided to expeditiously complete the Orange Line Metro Train Project. Talking on the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador assured that every possible support will be provided for early completion of the project. “I have come to Lahore after many years and am impressed by the rapid development here. Under your leadership, public welfare projects have been completed speedily,” he said, addressing the CM.”You are a visionary leader. It is in my knowledge that you enjoy good cordial relations with Chinese President and Prime Minister. Chinese leadership appreciates you because you give practical results and your personality is filled with the passion for hard work, commitment and dedication. We shall cooperate with the Punjab and further investments will be made in different sectors here,” he said, adding, “We shall also ensure timely completion of ongoing projects in the Punjab and shall move further side by side with you in the journey of development and prosperity.” Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pak-China friendship had turned into an immortal bond of affection. “We are proud of our friendship with China. Your country neither attaches strings to our friendship nor keeps asking us to do more. In fact, China is following a policy of love more.”CPEC has emerged as a wonderful gift for the Punjab and this project has further cemented the socio-economic relations between the two countries. The positive results of CPEC have started appearing as Sahiwal Coal Power Project has been completed in six months before its deadline.” The Chief Minister said that the Orange Line Metro Train Project was scheduled to be completed on December 25 last year but a political party challenged the mega project started in public interest in the court. “Work remained suspended for 22 months but now it has resumed and we shall have to collectively complete it in time. It is noteworthy that the Exim Bank did not stop payments despite the fact that the case was in the court,” he said. Chinese Consul General Mr. Long Ding Bin, Vice President Huaneng Shandong Ruyi, Mr. Li Xin, GM Orange Line Mr. Zhupengfei, and provincial ministers Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Malik Nadeem Kamran, and Khwaja Ahmed Hasaan were also present on the occasion Separately, the Chief Minister met a delegation of lawmakers from across the province. Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the government had brought about a revolution of prosperity in the lives of the masses. “The official resources are trust of the people and these are transparently used for providing various facilities to the people. We have always prioritised national development because Pakistan belongs to all of us and different schemes have been speedily completed to bring prosperity in the lives of the masses,” he said. He maintained that the country needed to move forward, while keeping the national interest in mind. “This will make us stronger as the politics revolving round personal interests is detrimental to the nation and we should be unified to move the country towards prosperity.” The Chief Minister said that PML-N has always given importance to national interest and all his government’s steps were aimed at bringing prosperity in the lives of the people. “The nation wants quality health and educational facilities, peace and development. We shall speedily continue the journey of development without wasting any moment because public service is our mission which will continue forever.”The delegation included Lt. Col. (r)Shujahat Ahmed Khan, Naeem Gull, Mehr Khalid MehmoodSargana, Qazi Adnan Farid, Syed Iftikharul Hassan, KaramElahiBandial and ShoaibAwaisi. Published in Daily Times, January 13th 2017.