US experts to help fight floods, smog

Punjab CM, US chargé d'Affaires agree to cooperate in AI, digital assets

LAHORE:

United States Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday and agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of security, artificial intelligence, digital assets and energy.

It was also agreed to engage US experts to help Punjab deal with floods and smog.

The promotion of education, security and investment in Punjab was discussed during the meeting.

A proposal to organise a Punjab-US Business and Investment Forum in Lahore was also reviewed.

Natalie Baker appreciated the holding of the Basant festival in Lahore and lauded the Punjab government's measures for ensuring its safe celebration. "I like Pakistan very much, particularly the people of Punjab and Lahore, who are very lively," the chargé d'affaires said.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the Basant festival would be expanded next year.

According to a statement, Baker paid tribute to CM Maryam Nawaz for her projects aimed at women's empowerment.

"We are taking legal measures to empower women in Punjab," she said, adding that the provincial government was formulating policies for development and addressing environmental challenges.

"Advance measures during the monsoon and the establishment of district WASAs have made it possible to drain rainwater quickly," she said.

"Punjab is changing, and its cities and villages are being reformed," the chief minister said. She added that as Pakistan's first woman chief minister, she had transformed women's empowerment from a symbolic commitment into practical measures.

She said an electric scooter scheme and electrobus service had been launched to facilitate women's mobility in Punjab. "Interest-free loans are being provided for small businesses to help women move towards financial independence. The Direct Pink Button and Virtual Police Station are pioneering initiatives for women's protection," she said.

The chief minister said around one million Pakistanis from Punjab living in the US were a valuable asset for the country.

In another development, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed relevant authorities to expedite the launch of technology-based shrimp farming in Sargodha following successful trials in Muzaffargarh.