CM, US envoy eye scholarship boost

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met United States Consul General Kristin K. Hawkins on Tuesday with the discussion focusing on promoting economic cooperation and increasing scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students in US higher educational institutions.

The US consul general congratulated Maryam Nawaz on her election as the first female chief minister.

The need for joint efforts by the United States and Punjab to address climate change was also discussed.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commended the consul general's efforts to enhance relations between Punjab and the US.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb was also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed during a briefing that campuses of world-renowned international universities would be built in the Education City in Lahore for students from all over Pakistan.

The CM called for the presentation of a comprehensive plan in this regard at the earliest after consulting the managements of the universities.

Presiding over a meeting on the IT City and Knowledge Park, she said the IT, education and film city projects would start in Lahore at the earliest.

”Business opportunities will be provided to the best IT companies from all over the world in IT City Lahore,” she asserted.

The chief minister expressed her satisfaction that Microsoft, Oracle and other big companies had given their consent to establish offices in the IT City Lahore.

She directed the authorities concerned to invite major Chinese IT companies as well to set up their offices in the zone.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the launch of a free Wi-Fi pilot project in Lahore.

She issued directives to start the free service preferably in educational institutions, at airports, railway stations and bus stands.

Free Wi-Fi service will be launched at 10 locations in Lahore within two weeks in the first phase of the project. In all, the service will be available at 516 locations in the city.

Central Business District CEO Imran Amin gave a detailed presentation on the IT City and Lahore Knowledge Park project.

Model cities

Jhelum, Jhang, Vehari and Bahawalnagar will be made model cities in terms of cleanliness under a pilot project approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Calling for expediting an ongoing cleanliness campaign in the province, she directed the authorities concerned to develop a sustainable model of solid waste management in both urban and rural areas.

The chief minister also paid a surprise visit to the Johar Town Model Bazaar and reviewed the prices of fruits and vegetables at various stalls along with the rate lists.

Interacting with women shopping at the Ramzan Bazaar, CM Maryam Nawaz enquired about their experience and the current situation.

The chief minister asked the women shoppers about the prices of various items in the market. Some of the women buyers expressed concerns about the high prices of fruits. An elderly woman mentioned that bananas, melons and other fruits had become unexpectedly expensive.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2024.