Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday said that the Punjab government is interested to benefit from Chinese cooperation in industry, agriculture and technical and vocational training sectors, saying that the Chinese government has done invaluable work to overcome corruption and poverty.
“The Chinese success has been acknowledged by the world and the Punjab government wants to replicate this model to reap maximum benefits.”
Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar was talking to Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Mr Nong Rong who called on him at his office.
They discussed matters of mutual interest. On the occasion, Mr Nong Rong invited the chief minister to visit China and appreciated the steps taken by the Punjab government to control coronavirus.
The CM gratitude to the Chinese government for its cooperation during the corona pandemic and provision of vaccine, saying that China is the most trustworthy friend, which always stood by Pakistan in testing times.
We appreciate the valuable Chinese cooperation in the development of our country and it is sanguine that Pakistan-China economic relations are touching new heights during the tenure of PM Imran Khan, he added.
The multi-billion-dollar CPEC project is of valuable importance for Pakistan; he emphasised and added that a conducive atmosphere has been provided to investors in the Punjab where special economic zones were being established.
The CM invited the Chinese companies to invest in SEZs assuring that every facility will be provided as durable development of the social sector is the priority of the PTI government.
The Chinese ambassador assured to utilize investment opportunities in SEZs, adding that China wants to enhance cooperation with the Punjab government for development of the social sector.
China is siding with Pakistan in the journey of development and prosperity, he assured and added that every possible step will be taken to enhance cooperation in different sectors.
The speedy industrial process will create job opportunities along with poverty alleviation, he added.
Acting Chinese Consul General Peng Zhengwu, army attache Mr Jiang Qingshi, economic and commercial minister consular Mr Xia Guoxiang, Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, ACS (Home), Secretary Finance, CEO PBIT and others were also present.
FREE MEDICINES TO CANCER PATIENTS APPROVED
Meanwhile, the CM approved the release of funds for the provision of free medicines to cancer patients.
Usman Buzdar said that the Punjab government will provide Rs860 million for the provision of free of cost medicines to cancer patients.
Release of funds will help to continue the process of provision of free medicines to the cancer patients, he added.
Usman Buzdar directed timely release of funds in future for providing medicines to cancer patients.
A meeting of the cabinet committee for finance and development was held under the chair of provincial finance minister Hashim Jawan Bakht in which approval was given to release funds for providing free medicines to the cancer patients on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.