LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and his Gilgit Baltistan (GB) counterpart have agreed to further expand the bilateral cooperation, along with the promotion of inter-provincial harmony.

A consensus in this regard was reached here on Monday when a delegation led by GB Chief Minister Barrister Khalid Khursheed called on Mr Buzdar at his office.

During the meeting, Mr Buzdar assured Barrister Khursheed of Punjab’s collaboration with the GB government for digitisation of land record system and the establishment of a medical college there.

Mr Buzdar said Punjab would also provide 15,000 metric ton wheat to the GB, besides continuing assistance to the new province to improve its civic amenities.

“The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are our brothers and Punjab will continue to extend every possible support to them,” Mr Buzdar said.

Barrister Khursheed thanked Mr Buzdar for the support and invited him to visit GB.

He said the Punjab government’s cooperation would help enhance brotherhood between the two provinces, promoting national unity.

Both chief ministers condemned the Indian atrocities against the oppressed people of India-held Kashmir, reiterating the nation’s support to the Kashmiri brethren.

GB Health Minister Haji Gul Bahar and Food Adviser Shams Lone accompanied Barrister Khursheed, while Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, secretaries of food and specialised healthcare and medical education department and senior member Board of Revenue flanked Mr Buzdar during the meeting.

MINORITIES: A delegation of the National Commission for Minorities Affairs led by its chairman, Chela Ram Kwelani, called on the chief minister and discussed steps for the welfare of the minorities in the province.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2022