Governor Punjab to brief PM Khan on his Europe visit

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan during the premier’s visit to Lahore on Friday (today).

The meeting will be held at the Chief Minister House today where the governor will brief the prime minister regarding his recent visit to Europe. During the meeting, Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority and university reforms will also be discussed besides holding consultations over the political and government matters.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar returned to Lahore on Thursday after completing his 10-day visit to the Europe Union countries regarding the extension of GSP Plus status for Pakistan.

During his visit, he met four vice presidents of European Parliament, 30 MPs of Italy, senators, ministers from Hungary and Austria and Overseas Pakistanis. He also addressed a Kashmir Conference in Italy.

A spokesman for the Governor’s House said Chaudhry Sarwar returned to Lahore after successfully completing his visit to Europe. During his visit, he met more than 30 members of the European Parliament including Dr Fabio Castaldo, Pedro Silva and Heidi Hutala, as well as members of parliament in Italy, Hungary and Austria, senators and ministers, for the extension of GSP Plus status for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s role for peace, Kashmir and Palestine issue, religious freedom of minorities in Pakistan and measures for their protection, Afghanistan and other issues were discussed in the meetings. The Punjab governor also had important meetings with leaders of European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee and other important committees.

Talking to the media at Governor’s House, Sarwar said that extension of GSP Plus status was a challenge for the country, adding that India had been spreading negative propaganda against Pakistan.

He said during his visit to Europe, he presented all facts to the members of European Parliament. He said that the EU parliamentarians appreciated Pakistan’s role for peace and the steps taken to protect minorities.

The governor said that anti-Pakistan forces including India had been obstructing the extension of GSP Plus status for Pakistan in the past, but they are united to thwart India’s plans. He said that despite Indian propaganda, not only did Pakistan manage to achieve GSP Plus status but would also succeed in extending it.

Chaudhry Sarwar said that minorities were safe in Pakistan and human rights were also being ensured across the country. Pakistan armed forces and the citizens of Pakistan were working together to end terrorism and eliminate their facilitators.

He said that the minorities in India, including Muslims, were being victimised and massacred by the terrorist RSS and Indian security forces. He said that it was a fact that until the Kashmir issue was resolved, peace in the region was not possible.