CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the government is taking effective measures for development of agriculture and livestock sectors and France may also extend cooperation in this regard.

He was talking to French Ambassador in Pakistan Daniel Jouanneau who called on him at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday.

Shahbaz said Pakistan was security problems but the entire nation was united against terrorism and extremism. He said investment and development were impossible without peace and that’s why elimination of terrorism from the country was the government’s determination. He said the Punjab government had set up a separate department for anti-terrorism while the Punjab Security Board had also been established for the purpose.

The CM said the cooperation of France in the projects of safe drinking water in Lahore and Faisalabad was commendable and the projects would prove to be milestones for promotion of relationship between the two countries.

He said cooperation in the economic sector between France and Pakistan was need of the hour and the role of French ambassador in promoting ties between the two countries was laudable.

Speaking on the occasion, French ambassador said Pakistan was a peaceful and beautiful country with wonderful cultural heritage. He also commended the steps taken by the Punjab government for elimination of terrorism. He said France would extend cooperation to the Punjab government in agriculture and livestock sectors.

Earlier Chief Secretary, Nasir Mehmood Khosa briefed the ambassador about the setting up of a separate department for the eradication of terrorism.

Provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Chairman for Special Initiatives Haroon Khawaja, the chairman Planning and Development, secretary Housing and Secretary Livestock were also present.