LAHORE: The Punjab government has signed an agreement with an international institution for preparing a master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park.

Under the agreement, the institution will prepare the design of master planning of Lahore Knowledge Park being set up at a vast area in Lahore. The process of master planning and conceptual planning of Lahore Knowledge Park will be completed within 16 weeks.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan could be made a developed and prosperous country through promotion of modern knowledge.

“The Punjab government has evolved a concrete strategy for equipping the new generation with modern knowledge. Huge resources are being spent on the promotion of research and education,” he said.

The chief minister said the project of setting up of Knowledge Park in Lahore was of great importance and it was the first and unique project in the country.

He said the campuses of renowned universities would be set up in the Knowledge Park. He said the project would prove to be helpful in strengthening the process of research and education not only in the province but the whole country.

Ms Samita Khawar, director Public Sector and Government Business of renowned international consultancy institution Frost and Sullivan, said the institute would make every effort for completing the master planning at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in another meeting Shahbaz Sharif said in view of the record reduction in the prices of petroleum products the Punjab government had taken effective steps for providing relief to the people.

“Steps being taken for decreasing the prices of essential items and transport fares will be ensured so that people can benefit from the reduction in petroleum prices,” he said while addressing a meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee through a video link at the Civil Secretariat.

He directed the committee to ensure an effective implementation on a plan evolved regarding reduction in prices at every cost.

He said the food minister should visit various cities of the province and personally monitor the steps being taken for providing relief to the people and submit report to him in this regard.

While chairing a law and order meeting, Shahbaz Sharif reviewed security arrangements and the overall law and order situation in the province.

He issued special instructions to the authorities concerned with regard to making foolproof security of mosques, imambargahs, worship places and other important places. The meeting decided that investigation of the cases of heinous crimes would be completed under a specific mechanism.

The chief minister on Saturday left for Qatar.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2015

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