Iran hikes meat import from Punjab

CM, PML-N chief discuss increase in bilateral trade with Iran’s envoy

LAHORE:

Iran has agreed to increase meat import from Punjab.

Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam informed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif that his country has agreed to increase the import of meat from Punjab from 40% to 70%.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-N President.Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met the ambassador to review cooperation between Iran and Punjab in the agriculture, livestock and other sectors.

Trade, cultural, social and economic ties between Punjab and Iran were also discussed in the meeting.

The Iranian ambassador held a detailed discussion on the role of Punjab in the agreement to increase the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran up to $10 billion.

The leaders agreed in principle to make the Pakistan-Iran border a border of economy rather than security centric.

According to a statement, various proposals were also considered for the promotion of Persian language in Punjab to promote people-to-people contacts between Punjab and Iran.

Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the PML-N president to visit Iran.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the martyrdom of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi. The chief minister said her recent meeting with the late President Raisi had been memorable and his personality was impressive.

She said she had held a fruitful discussion with the Iranian leader on the promotion of trade and cultural relations.

IIranian Ambassador Dr Raza Amiri Mughdam said, "Pakistan has a very special importance for Iran. Pakistani people have proved to be Iran’s true friends.”

He added, “Martyred Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi wanted to meet Nawaz Sharif, but could not do so due to his visit to China.”

He said the agreements and MoUs signed during President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan would be implemented.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz agreed to increase cultural links between the twin cities of Isfahan, Mashhad and Lahore.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has commended the sanitary workers and officers over cleanliness arrangements on the Eid.

The chief minister distributed commendation certificates among the sanitary workers.

She enquired from the women sanitary workers about their well-being.

Addressing the workers, she said, "I did not spend Eid with my family and oversaw and monitored cleanliness arrangements across Punjab."

The CM said the efforts for cleanliness should not be confined to the occasion of the Eid.

She added, "We are introducing a waste management system in all the districts of Punjab and will provide resources for the purpose. Cleanliness was observed not only in the urban areas but in the rural areas as well."

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique said while giving a briefing on the Suthra Punjab initiative that 180,000 tonnes of waste had been disposed of on the three Eid days. The waste of 1.8 million animals was disposed of in an appropriate manner.

More than 32,000 biodegradable bags had been distributed and 55,000 sanitary workers performed their duties in severe hot weather, he added.