Punjab CM, US Ambassador agree to promote partnership in different sectors

LAHORE, Sep 28 (NNI): US Ambassador Donald Blome met with Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhary Parvez Elahi at Chief Minister’s Office and discussed matters of mutual interest.
It was agreed to promote partnership in population planning, alternate energy, agriculture and water management sectors.
The CM briefed about public welfare initiatives and legislation for saving campuses from drugs and thanked him for extending support to Pakistan during the corona pandemic. “Pakistan gives special importance to its relations with the US. Reforms are being introduced in different sectors. In this regard, US technical assistance will be welcomed,” he said.
The chief minister pointed out that the education reforms program of his last tenure was globally recognized and added that degree-level education, as well as textbooks, have been made free for the students.
“The legislation will be enacted to rid the educational institutions of drugs and American assistance would be beneficial in this regard,” he added. The CM stated that a special anti-narcotics force would be established and those giving information about the sale and purchase of drugs would be rewarded. “Similarly, special courts would be set up to hold a daily trial of drug pushers.”
He hoped that US assistance in R&D would yield positive results to increase agri productivity while its cooperation in the new cotton seed would sufficiently increase cotton production. “It is hoped that partnership between the Punjab government and the US will be promoted as the provincial government is following a public-centric agenda,” the CM concluded.
The ambassador said that America gives great importance to its relations with Pakistan and that cooperation with the Punjab government would be further promoted. US Consul General William K Makaneole, Political and Economic Chief Kathleen Gibilisco, P&D former chairman Salman Ghani, chief secretary, Chairman PBIT Fazeel Asif and others were present. NNI