Daily Times

LAHORE: A high-level delegation, led by World Food Programme Country Director Lola Castro met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and Punjab government agreed to cooperate in food security, meeting of nutritional needs, elimination of hunger, training to cope with natural calamities and provision of technical assistance in the construction of modern silos for the protection of wheat reserves.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Punjab government and WFP are working on different projects, however, cooperation of WFP with Punjab government in future programmes will be fully welcomed.

He said that healthy diet is of vital importance for the good health of women and children and Punjab government is running a pilot project in South Punjab under the school feeding system, adding that WFP could provide cooperation in extending the scope of this project.

He issued instructions for setting up a committee, which would be headed by the chief secretary, with regard to implementation of the recommendations of WFP. Shahbaz Sharif said that the Punjab government is striving for increasing per acre yield, which would not only help in ensuring better return to the cultivators but also in attaining food security as well.

The chief minister said that Punjab government wants to increase collaboration with WFP and it can provide technical assistance to the provincial government in the storage of food, capacity building of institutions, resource management, provision of hybrid seeds and other nutritional matters.

He directed the concerned departments to maintain a close contact with WFP, adding that there is a need of taking effective measures for achieving food security and conservation of wheat reserves. He said that setting up of grain stock exchange in future should also be considered.

The WFP representatives assured the CM that technical assistance would be provided for food security, construction of silos, nutrition and other issues. Provincial Ministers Bilal Yasin, Dr Farrukh Javed, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal and concerned officials were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting, which reviewed industrialisation strategy for accelerating the pace of industrialisation, promotion of investment and creation of employment opportunities in the province. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that industrialisation strategy is an important element for strengthening provincial economy.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the role of private sector is of vital importance for the promotion of provincial economy on solid foundations and private investment could prove to be a game changer in this regard. Therefore, he said the concerned ministers, secretaries and departments should make all out efforts for achieving the targets of industrialisation strategy.

He said that the simplification of the process of carrying out business should be the top priority so that industrialisation process could be accelerated and new job opportunities created. “All out measures will have to be adopted for making Punjab a business friendly province and the concerned departments will have to play an active role for achieving the targets of the development strategy,” he added.

He said that the departments would be provided all out resources and assistance for the promotion of investment by private sector. Shahbaz directed the concerned authorities to evolve a comprehensive mechanism for the implementation of the steps taken under the strategy and timeline should be fixed for the achievement of targets in this regard and its implementation be ensured.