‘Ties with European Union improving’

LAHORE

Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood has said Pakistan’s relations with European Union are improving and European investors want to invest in Pakistan. 

He was addressing a ceremony to celebrate Europe Day organised by Directorate of External Linkages and Institute of Languages at Al Raazi Hall on Wednesday. 

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Portuguese Ambassador Dr Joao Paulo Sabibo Costo, CM Youth Mobilization Committee CEO Ch Amir Sohail, Director External Linkages Dr Maria Maldonado, Director Pakistan Cultural Council Wajeeh-ud-Din Khan, faculty members and a large number of students were present.

Addressing the ceremony, Rana Mashhood said that the world was reposing confidence in Pakistan’s leadership. He said education was the only way for Pakistan for development and that’s why Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif was giving special attention to education sector and education budget was being increased every year and new programmes were being introduced.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Mujahid Kamran said Pakistan had a population of 180 million people while Europe had a population of 508 million people, almost 2.7 times bigger than Pakistan’s total population. However, he said, Pakistan’s GDP was 244 trillion dollars while Europe’s GDP was 18.5 trillion dollars, almost 75.8 times larger than Pakistan’s GDP. He said that US was gradually eroding the independence of Europe and the arms of EU were being twisted.

He said that EU must protect its independence and the people of Europe were beacon of hope for the world. On this occasion, Dr Sabido gave a detailed briefing on Portugal’s history, geography and culture and said that Pakistan had good universities and good professors and both EU and Pakistan could benefit from each other.

He stressed the need to promote bilateral relations. Ch Amir Sohail said that Pakistan’s relations with EU were increasing and that’s why we were celebrating Europe Day in Pakistan.

Wajih Uddin Khan said that cultural relations between Pakistan and Europe were also being promoted. Director External Linkages Dr Maria Maldonado gave a detailed briefing on Punjab University’s linkages with various European universities and role of Institute of Languages in promotion of European languages.

Various presentations were also given on different European languages and performance of CMYMC on the occasion. Later, Rana Mashhood and others cut the cake to celebrate Europe Day.