Expeditious completion of projects hallmark of Punjab government: chief minister

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that transparency, standard and expeditious completion of development projects is the hallmark of Punjab government and all agreements and joint ventures are being executed under this policy. He said that provision of modern, comfortable, and affordable transport facilities to the masses has been started in the provincial metropolis and this programme will be extended to all cities of the province.
He welcomed the interest of Argentina in co-operation in transport sector and said that steps will be taken expeditiously in this direction. He was talking to Argentinean Ambassador in Pakistan Rodolfo Martin Saravia at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Wednesday. Matters of mutual interest and co-operation in transport, livestock as well as other sectors were discussed in the meeting. Member Provincial Assembly Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Chairman Planning & Development and secretaries of various departments were present.
Talking to the Argentinean ambassador, the Chief Minister said that there are friendly relations between Pakistan and Argentine and both the countries can further promotes co-operation. He said that there is a vast scope of co-operation in agriculture, livestock, transport and other sectors in Punjab and Argentina can launch joint ventures with the province.
He said that a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse has been set up in Punjab with the co-operation of Iran, which will soon be inaugurated. He said that there are vast opportunities of export of Hilal meat from Punjab to Iran, Malaysia, Middle East and other countries and the interest of Argentina in meat processing sector is welcome and the authorities concerned should finalise recommendations at the earliest for agreement in this regard. He said that provision of modern transport facilities to the masses has been started and CNG buses acquired from a leading Chinese company Foton are being operated on various routes. He said that an agreement has also been reached for obtaining 575 CNG buses from Ankai Company, which will be plied in Lahore as well as Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Bahawalpur. He said that besides provision of CNG buses and setting up of refilling stations, Argentina should also consider co-operation in Bus Rapid Transit System. He said that this project is of vital importance and negotiations are also being held with Turkey in this regard.
He said that Chairman Lahore Transport Company is negotiating with MD Sui Northern Gas for uninterrupted supply of gas for CNG buses so that modern transport facilities could be available to the people without any interruption. Referring to the initiatives taken against dengue virus, the Chief Minister said that a long-term policy has been adopted for this purpose. He said that a delegation of 110 doctors, nurses, entomologists, epidemiologists and the persons associated with other sectors has been sent on a three-week training to Thailand, while some members of the delegation will also visit Sri Lanka for acquiring training and knowledge in dengue control. He said that Punjab government has made a heavy investment on the visit of the delegation so that comprehensive and effective measures could be taken in the next season for getting rid of this menace. He issued instructions to Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hassan to formulate recommendations regarding provision of CNG buses and setting up of refilling station by Argentina and directed that this project should be implemented as early as possible.
Argentinean Ambassador in Pakistan Rodolfo Martin Saravia said that Argentina is interested in co-operation with Punjab in livestock, transport, pharmaceutical and other sectors including setting up of meat processing plant, provision of CNG buses and establishment of refilling stations. He said that Punjab and Argentina could launch joint venture in developing vaccine for foot and mouth disease of livestock. He also appreciated the measures taken by Punjab government for the provision of modern transport facilities to the masses and eradication of dengue virus. Later, the Ambassador presented a book containing photographs of Northern Areas of Pakistan taken by an Argentinean photographer.