The CPEC has been a blessing for our struggling economy and fragmented energy potential, enhancing productivity, efficiency and fostering greater connectivity, infrastructure development and innovation. It has become one of the largest stimulators of the economy, a facilitator of domestic industry and a game changer for progress and prosperity, with US$25.4 billion in direct investment. This has led to the creation of 236,000 jobs, the construction of 510 kilometers of highways, the generation of more than 8,000 megawatts of electricity and the establishment of 886 kilometers of core transmission infrastructure in Pakistan.
It seems that the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has a holistic and comprehensive economic vision which is people, investment, business and environment friendly gearing it towards further economic diversification, financial integration, social modernization and last but not the least uplifting of millions of people from the clutches of poverty and unemployment.
During her maiden official visit to China, she shared her valuable economic vision with investors and businessmen, attracting investment in sectors such as health, smart housing, agriculture, digitalization, artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, education, and, most importantly, renewable energy—primarily solar and wind. This vision is timely, integrated, innovative and futuristic, encompassing all aspects of openness, transparency, modernization, virtual expansion and green transmission to meet the emerging demands of both the people and industries in the province, paving the way for stronger economic ties and development.
Chief Minister Maryam’s decision to introduce the latest cancer treatment technology in Punjab, by bringing equipment from China, is a key component of her “Health Vision,” promoting health self-reliance in the province with significant socio-economic benefits. It is hoped that cancer treatment will soon be available without surgery or chemotherapy, with the introduction of advanced machinery and treatment methods at the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital through cooperation with China. Hygea Medical Technologies, specializing in interventional oncology treatments such as tumor freeze and heat, is also considering investment in the health sector. The author suggests that this health cooperation and its benefits should be extended to other public hospitals to enhance the management of health issues and improve patient care in the future.
On her part, Maryam Nawaz appreciated the latest treatment method and high percentage of cancer patients’ recovery. While visiting the Hygea Medical Technology Company, the CM desired to transform the healthcare system of Punjab efficiently and patient-friendly by employing modern technology which is highly valued.
Since CM Maryam is supervising a massive drive of fair and free health facilities in the province the author suggests that the provincial authorities should study and follow the Chinese health system covering more than one billion people through medical insurance budget management, medical insurance global index control system, employee’s medical insurance and resident medical insurance system producing miracles removing human miseries and disseminating message of hope, responsibility and human dignity. Thus it would be the right way forward transforming the health system of Punjab into a technology-driven arrangement.
During her productive and interactive visit, CM Punjab chaired an investment conference in Guangzhou demonstrating her commitment to seek more and more inflows of the foreign direct investment from the private companies of China and Hong Kong.
Maryam’s decision to establish a working group, the appointment of a focal person and the creation of a help desk to facilitate investment are the right steps in the right direction, clearly demonstrating a systematic approach and “Investment Vision” enabling the province and its people towards a prosperous future.
The roundtable conference witnessed participation from representatives of over 60 prominent companies from China and Hong Kong. Representatives from health, artificial intelligence, agriculture, information technology, waste management, solar energy and other sectors participated in the conference.
It is a good omen that Chief Minister has comprehensive plans facilitating the Chinese companies through a one-window operation, declaring Punjab as a “land of opportunities” for investors successfully showcasing Punjab’s economic, geographical and business significance offering immense investment opportunities, brightened chances of joint ventures and collaborative mechanism of win-win situation and befitting propositions for all.
Moreover, the Chief Minister’s reiteration of banning the production, sale, and use of environmentally harmful plastics under the “No to Plastic” campaign launched in Punjab is the first giant step towards environment’s friendly measures and legislation, opening doors for greater cooperation with the Chinese companies to start their operations in the province.
In this regard, highlighting the ongoing efforts under the “Clean Punjab initiative”, including a zero-waste mission and projects to convert waste into renewable energy reaffirming the CM strategic roadmap for a cleaner, greener and pollution free province in the days to come.
The author advocates that since Punjab is passing through a difficult time because of ongoing spells of smog & fog labeling it the most polluted province, the provincial policy -makers should seek help from the Chinese companies diminishing the worst polluted season through building “Corridor of Clean Environment” consisting of Chinese expertise and equipment of artificial raining, capturing of carbon footprints, filtration of industries, drone’s plantation and, notably, technical education for controlling global warming in the province.
Remarkably, Maryam emphasized on affordable energy through windmills, solar energy and other renewable sources vividly reflecting her “Green Vision & Renewable Development” which should be shared with the Chinese partners and companies for a mega solarization project, underscoring Punjab’s growing demand for solar energy.
In agriculture, the provincial government is modernizing through mechanization and fostering collaboration in sub-sectors such as machinery manufacturing, food processing and hybrid seed development.
The author recommends that the provincial government may also seek help from the Chinese companies having expertise on converting deserts into green fields and building of Green Wall around the barren fields to control its collateral damage and further increasing the cultivated land for agriculture. Thus hybrid agriculture, joint research and pilot projects of cashable seeds are the way forward.
Maryam Nawaz also underlined the importance of innovation in the IT sector, welcoming investment in e-commerce, incubator centres and e-learning. Invitation to Chinese firms to contribute to making the Nawaz Sharif IT City, a state-of-the-art hub, show her Digitalization Punjab Vision” however, the author submits that it should be equally applied in the province creating an equitable business and investment environment.
In summary, CPEC is a mega project supporting qualitative industrialization, solarization, green transformation, public health and immense social development which should be part of Maryam Nawaz’s vision of a Prosperous Punjab creating beneficial propositions for all the stakeholders.
The author proposes that CM Maryam Nawaz should focus more on green technologies, hydrogen power generation, hybrid agriculture, bio-sciences corporation, joint venture of solar panels, lithium batteries, EVs, digitalization, telecommunications, electronics, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, nanotechnology, water-efficient irrigation systems, smart urbanization, women empowerment, for further strengthening of bilateral relations with China.
