'Satellite remote sensing can help improve various socioeconomic sectors'

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said use of space technology is of utmost importance for socio-economic development of the country. He said satellite remote sensing and GIS applications can help improve various sectors. He said SUPARCO has made tremendous progress in satellite engineering and space technology applications during the last few years and application of space technology for the improvement of different sectors is highly beneficial and commendable.
He said Punjab government is fully benefiting from modern technology in different sectors and co-operation with SUPARCO will be further promoted. He expressed these views during a briefing meeting on the occasion of his visit to Satellite Research and Development Center, SUPARCO, here on Thursday. Provincial Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Col(R) Shuja Khanzada, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police and Secretary Home were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister was given a detailed briefing regarding the use of space technology for socio-economic development. He expresses keen interest in the use of space technology in agriculture, urban planning, forestry and other sectors. Shahbaz Sharif said use of modern technology is of paramount importance for speedy development and socio-economic stability of the country. He said Punjab government is fully benefiting from modern technology for the capacity-building of government departments. He said whether it is war against dengue, monitoring of Ramazan bazaars, public health programme or educational reforms, the government is taking full benefit of modern technology. He said use of modern technology in land record computerisation programme is a good example in this regard. The Chief Minister commended the efforts of SUPARCO towards utilisation of space technology in economic development of the country. He said that Punjab government is also interested in applying space technology in agriculture, hydrology, urban development, forestry and environmental management and co-operation with SUPARCO will be further promoted for this purpose. The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of SUPARCO regarding satellite remote sensing and GIS applications in geology, mining, urban and rural development, education, health and different sectors and said this technology is directly linked with economic development of the country. He said mutual co-operation between Punjab government and SUPARCO will be further promoted for accelerating the pace of socio-economic development. He said though Punjab Information Technology Board and SUPARCO are already co-operating in different sectors, still there is a need for further co-operation between SUPARCO and different institutions of Punjab for socio-economic development of the province.
Shahbaz Sharif said E-governance has been promoted in the province and Punjab Information Technology Board and SUPARCO can collaborate for fully benefiting from this initiative of the Punjab government so that the pace of economic and social uplift could be accelerated in the province. The Chief Minister also visited Satellite Research and Development Center and integrated assembled hall and witnessed the use of space technology. He also recorded his impressions in the visitors' book.