CM offers China SEZs in Punjab

Ambassador foresees province in upgraded CPEC.

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has proposed to establish Special Chinese Economic Zones dedicated to providing incentives and facilities for the Chinese investors.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zaidong, to review possibilities of promoting ties in technology, business and investment.

The PML-N president said that Punjab will welcome China's cooperation in infrastructure and technology. He said on the occasion, "China is our reliable friend and we are proud of our relationship with this great nation."

He said CM Maryam Nawaz is leading many welfare projects for the people of Punjab and the province will welcome China's cooperation in infrastructure and technology.

Chief Minister Marya Nawaz said, "Together with China, we can create economic miracles. We are always ready to welcome our Chinese friends in Punjab."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "We consider the success of China as our own success. Pakistan can benefit greatly and learn from the Chinese model to reduce poverty."

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said China too greatly values its friendship with Pakistan and will welcome the inclusion of Punjab in the upgraded vision of CPEC, which also includes development of Special Economic Zones.

He shared that China is keen on investing in the agriculture sector in Punjab.

According to a statement, he appreciated the initiatives of the CM pertaining to Farmer Card and Tractor Scheme among others. He noted that high yielding hybrid rapeseed was being cultivated on 500,000 acres in Punjab and now the aim was to double the area.

He added that 1,000 farmers of Pakistan will be trained in modern farming techniques by Chinese experts.

The chief minister underscored the importance of mechanisation and efficient use of water in agriculture and said that Chinese expertise in these areas will add great value.

The ambassador invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit China, which she accepted.

Agriculture internship

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the biggest agriculture graduate internship programme in the history of Pakistan at the Faisalabad University of Agriculture. A scholarship of Rs60,000 per month will be paid to 1,000 agriculture graduates. The chief minister distributed appointment letters among the agriculture graduate students.

She said on the occasion, "Today we are starting the implementation of Pakistan's biggest Kissan package. The students receiving the internship letter is a proof that the implementation of the package has started in a very short period of time. When someone exploits the youth, politics gets defamed. Politics is part of life."

She said, "I broke with the traditions of the past, invited the displeasure of the party and 95% of my cabinet comprises young people. In my cabinet there are educated and hardworking young people."

CM Maryam Nawaz said, "I promise you that as long as I am holding this office, I will never let merit to be violated. Today Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was asked by a foreign ambassador what is his opinion about the political chaos. I want to ask the youth, do you want a Pakistan that in which abusive language is used and false accusations are levelled?"

She said, "More than 5,000 applications were received for the internship programme, out of whom 1,000 were selected. All these youths belong to agriculture universities and their age is less than 25 years. It is a matter of happiness for me that 25% of them are girls.