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| November 17, 2005 | Thursday | Shawwal 14, 1426 |
Rocca meets Pervaiz
LAHORE, Nov 16: US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca met Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Wednesday and exchanged views on different issues. This was her first ever visit to Punjab.
US Consul-General in Lahore Brian Heath and Chief Secretary Salman Siddique were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister briefed Ms Rocca on different initiatives by his government and praised the US government’s assistance for earthquake victims. President Bush’s visit to Pakistan embassy in Washington to express his grief over the loss of life and property in the tragedy left a good impact on Pakistani people, he said.
He said there was complete political harmony in Punjab where the devolution system had proved a success. The common people in Pakistan were enlightened and moderate Muslims, he said.
The chief minister said due to the effective implementation of the education sector reforms programme, the ratio of enrolment of students in schools had considerably increased, indicating the success of the initiative.
He said free education up to matriculation had reduced the dropout rate in schools besides reducing the educational expenditure. The uplift of education sector could help alleviate poverty and promote tolerance in society. The real spirit of Islam is peace, justice and promotion of human values in society.
The chief minister said free medical facilities were being provided to patients in all teaching hospitals of Punjab. The district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, and basic health units were being upgraded.
He said a world standard cancer hospital was being established in Lahore where all necessary free facilities would be provided to patients. A Rs1 billion cardiology institute was being set up in Multan where international experts of the speciality would treat patients from southern Punjab and Sindh.
The chief minister said agriculture sector was of key importance to Pakistan’s economy. He said the country had the best canal network in the world which was being further upgraded with the help of World Bank. Loans were also being given for the promotion of agri sector and prosperity of farming community.
He said in order to promote a sense of security among citizens and eliminate heinous crime, police patrolling posts had been introduced.
Ms Rocca said America and Pakistan had deep-rooted relations which would further grow in future. She also appreciated the measures taken by the government for the promotion of social sector in Punjab.
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