California offers Punjab ‘sister states’ accord
PHOTO: FILE
The head of the California Legislative Assembly, Chris R Holden, has invited Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to sign an agreement for a ‘sister state’ relationship.
The chief minister chaired a meeting to review the matter, in which former federal secretary Salman Ghani shared the details regarding the agreement between Punjab and the California state of the US.
The chef minister issued directives to give a final shape to the agreement forthwith.
He said the agreement would enhance trade, economic and business relations between Pakistan and California and would increase bilateral investment. He highlighted that relations in the education, health, information technology, environment and culture sectors would be promoted.
He underscored that the accord would strengthen the relations between Punjab and California.
The chief minister said a special cell would be set up in the Planning and Development Board to give a final shape to the agreement and fulfil the responsibility of its implementation.
He stated that though a Punjab government delegation had been invited to the United States to sign the agreement at a ceremony, he would be pleased if a delegation from Californian would visit Lahore in this regard.
He said the Legislative Assembly of California has passed a resolution to declare Punjab a sister state. He added that copies of the letter had been sent to the US Ambassador in Pakistan Donald Blome, the director of the USAid mission and other officials concerned.
The CM said Holden had expressed hope that the agreement would soon be signed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2022