Govt aims to boost agri sector: CM Shahbaz
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that government is fully aware of the difficulties being faced by agriculture sector. He said that all out measures will be taken to protect farmers and cultivators from the problems due to recession at international level in agri sector. He said that an agri conference is being arranged in the provincial metropolis during current month for seeking proposals for resolving the problems being confronted by farmers and agriculture sector. He said that all stakeholders will be invited to the conference in which solid and meaningful measures will be finalized with the consultation of cultivators, experts and other stakeholders.
He was addressing a high level meeting, here today. The Chief Minister said that the future of Pakistan's economy is linked with agriculture sector and all out resources will be made available for the stability and development of agriculture sector. He said that government has taken a number of steps for the welfare and progress of rural population. He said that land record of 55 lakh landowners in 23 thousand villages has been computerized under Land Record Management Information System. Shehbaz Sharif said that high quality roads are being constructed in rural areas for easy access from farms to market and three thousand kilometers long roads have already been constructed. Similarly, he said, reconstruction of six barrages and different canals is being undertaken with a huge sum for the promotion of agriculture and irrigation sectors.
The Chief Minister further said that under Prime Minister's Kissan Package, relief package of billions of rupees has been given to cultivators. He said thousands of cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats have been distributed free of cost among rural women for the purpose of poverty alleviation.
Meanwhile, British Department for International Development (DFID) head in Pakistan Ms. Joanna Reid called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here today. The ongoing programs in Punjab with the collaboration of DFID in education, health and skills development sectors were discussed in the meeting. DFID head Ms. Joanna Reid appreciated the performance of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif with regard to reforms and substantial improvement in education, health and skills development sectors in Punjab and said that a lot of work is being carried out in these sectors under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. She said that she is happy to see proper use of British taxpayers' money in Punjab and credit for this goes to the determined leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his talented team.
The Chief Minister while speaking on the occasion, said that Pakistan and Britain are strong partners in the process of progress and prosperity and collaboration between Punjab government and DFID is increasing in different sectors. He said that policy of transparency and standard is being implemented at every level in Punjab and the provincial government is ensuring proper use of every penny. DFID representative in Punjab, Ben French was also present on the occasion.
A delegation of Turk investors met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here today and expressed interest in setting up an energy project based on renewable sources in the province. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that besides traditional methods of generation of electricity, Punjab government is also setting up projects of power production through renewable sources.
He said that Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park has been set up in Bahawalpur in south Punjab while work is being carried out expeditiously on the setting up of gas-based power plants in the province. Shehbaz Sharif said that facilities are being provided to the investors in energy sector on priority basis and all out incentives will also be given to Turk investors.