Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan, Ingrid Jahansson met Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore and discussed matters of mutual interest and promotion of cooperation in transport, education, health, tourism and other sectors. Swedish ambassador said that his country wants to cooperate with Punjab in different sectors and is ready to extend technical assistance in transport, solid waste management, public health engineering and other sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that there are strong friendly and economic relations between Pakistan and Sweden and a number of Swedish companies are already working in Punjab. He said that vehicle inspection and certification system had been introduced in Punjab with the collaboration of Sweden and the first modern centre under this system has been established in Kala Shah Kaku.
He said that similar centres are being set up in other cities of the province as well. He said that cooperation will be promoted between Punjab government and Sweden in the setting up of driving training schools and issuance of driving licenses and this programme will be extended to the whole province.
Shehbaz said that Punjab government is setting up a state-of-the-art knowledge park in the provincial metropolis for the promotion of quality education while work is also continuing on the project of Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park. He said that a programme of supply of potable water to the people is being successfully implemented in the province with a sum of billions of rupees. He said that solid waste management system has been modernized for providing a healthy environment to the masses.
The chief minister said that Sweden can extend cooperation in these sectors. He said that Punjab government will welcome technical assistance of Sweden in the uplift of different sectors as it wants to benefit from Swedish expertise.
Shehbaz said that final proposals should be submitted for the promotion of cooperation in different sectors. Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Industries and Transport departments and Chairman Taskforce on Information and Culture Muhammad Malik were also present on the occasion.