LAHORE: A businessmen and investors delegation of the Federation of Saudi Chamber, led by Fahed Al-Bash, on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and expressed keen interest in investment in different sectors, including agriculture and livestock.

Mr Shehbaz said that a conducive investment atmosphere was provided in Punjab to transform long-standing brotherly relations into durable economic partnerships and that thousands of acres of arid land in Cholistan could be turned into a green oasis through technology. The expansion in economic partnership would also benefit the people of both the counties, he said.

He assured the delegation of providing every possible facility to the Saudi investors. Saudi Arabia was a trustworthy friend of Pakistan which supported the country in every hour of the trial. The people of Punjab would fully appreciate the Saudi cooperation, he added.

Fahad Al-Bash showed interest in benefiting from investment opportunities available in agriculture, livestock and other sectors.

SUBSIDY: Despite all financial hurdles, the government has provided Rs200 billion subsidy for the provision of subsidised flour to the people of Punjab, Hamza said at a provincial parliamentary party meeting.

“People have expectations, and we have to come up to their expectations. Constitutional crises have been intentionally created in Punjab for the last three months to hinder the smooth sailing of the development process.

“If intentions are noble and direction is right, the help of the Almighty also comes along. My doors are always open for everyone. We will leave no stone unturned in alleviating the sufferings of the masses and will continue to work jointly in order to bring ease in the lives of the common man,” he said, adding that approval of the new financial year 2022-23 budget would be given soon.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2022