LAHORE: Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour called on Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, expressed solidarity with him over the flood ravages in the province and made a pledge to promote trade ties between Canada and Punjab.

During the meeting in his office on Monday, the chief minister welcomed international assistance to flood affectees, saying that the flood had caused colossal damages and the government was following a comprehensive strategy to rehabilitate the affected people.

He said Pakistan and Canada enjoyed the best friendly relations while a good number of Pakistanis were also residing there. He said there was the need to take solid steps to promote trade and economic relations by expanding cooperation in education, health and energy production sectors.

He said a proactive approach needed to promote trade and economic cooperation between Canada and Punjab further and added that an exchange of trade delegations would give impetus to bilateral cooperation.

Ms Gilmour expressed her desire to promote cooperation between Canada and Punjab in different sectors. Canadian Consular (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner Michael Lazaruk and Nestle Pakistan Chairman Syed Yawar Ali were also present.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with former federal minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan in his office, the chief minister said the Punjab government was standing with the flood-affected people of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and it would also send medicines and medical staff to help the flood affectees.

The CM added that said a survey was being conducted to assess damages to houses, crops and livestock while provision of tents, food hampers and necessary materials was being ensured in the flood-hit areas of Punjab.

He said the Punjab cabinet had approved Rs4bn for the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2022