Pakistan keen to strengthen ties with Sweden: Mahtab
By Mona Khan

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Railways, Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan Tuesday said Pakistan is committed to strengthen its relations with the European Union which has played its vital role in bringing democracy in the country.
He was talking to Ambassador of Sweden Anna Karin Enestrom, who called on him here at his office. The Minister said “democracy is the best solution to Pakistan’s internal and external problems.” Sardar Mahtab said dictatorship has never delivered rather it has ruined almost every state institution.
The minister said modernization of Pakistan Railways is on the anvil and modern signalling system is being commissioned in place of obsolete, outdated and worked out present one. He hoped that Pakistan Railways would make use of the European technology in this regard.
The Minister said transparency and fairness would be adopted in awarding contract for modern signalling system and reputable national and international firms would be engaged to invest in freight operations and other commercial activities and this would bring efficiency and competitiveness in the system.
Sardar Mahtab also thanked and appreciated desire of the Swedish government in providing assistance to Pakistan Railways in bringing it at par with the European standard. The Ambassador said Swedish government would extend its full support to the economic and social uplift of Pakistan and its people. Sardar Mahtab hoped that with the dialogue process initiated by the coalition government to achieve peace in tribal areas, an ample opportunities of investment and trade would be generated.
He said Muslims are moderate and peace loving while some elements are exploiting the name of religion for their ulterior motives. The Minister said issue of publication of caricatures by certain newspapers of the European countries did not go well in the Muslim world.
Swedish government should play its role in developing better understanding among Muslims and other communities, Minister added. The Ambassador told that her government was continuously engaged in dialogue process with the Muslim and other communities of Sweden after this incident and hoped that this communication would help develop better understanding among them.