Lahore to host shopping festival

CM inaugurates chrysanthemum exhibition, announces revival of horse show

LAHORE:

"Business-friendly policy is very important for the promotion of economic activities," said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif while announcing that the first shopping festival in Lahore would be organised in collaboration with chain stores.

In a meeting with a delegation of Chainstore Association of Pakistan, she reviewed a proposal to make an annual calendar of the operating hours of the stores in Punjab.

A decision in principle was taken in the meeting to organise to organise shopping festivals in Punjab. "I want to take the business community along. Actionable suggestions will definitely be implemented for the promotion of business," the chief minister said.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "I am Pakistani at heart, I use Pakistani brands."

She said the Horse and Cattle Show would also be resumed in Lahore in a new style. The chief minister was briefed by the delegation about various suggestions for the promotion of business activities.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also inaugurated the annual chrysanthemum exhibition at Jilani Park. She inspected different models decorated with chrysanthemum.

Briefing her about the 10-day event, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Muhammad Tahir Wattoo said around 200 rare and unique varieties of chrysanthemum had been displayed in the exhibition."

A light show will also be presented every evening.

The officials said the flower plants were prepared for a year in the nurseries of PHA for the exhibition. He noted, "The life of this flower is 15 to 20 days, while it emerged in the first week of December.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "Flowers are a symbol of peace and love. People from Lahore and other cities must come to see the exhibition of chrysanthemum." She also inaugurated the PHA Commercial Nursery where she was shown local olive plants and presented pomegranate and bonsai plants.