SIALKOT, April 26: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released a Rs3.52 billion grant for the uplift of Barani areas in Sialkot and Narowal districts.

District Nazim Muhammad Akmal Cheema disclosed this while speaking at a workshop on “Sustainable Livelihood for Barani Areas Development” held here on Thursday under the auspices of the Agency for Barani Areas Development (ABAD).

He said the project would help provide sustainable livelihood to the local people, better look after of the available natural resources, maximum job opportunities by promoting agricultural development schemes and training to local women in Barani areas in active collaboration with the ABAD.

Mr Cheema said that ADB-funded project would also provide guidance to government functionaries concerned for upgrading the agricultural sector at the local level, besides advancing maximum farm loans on soft-term to small farmers.

Sialkot DCO Capt Atta Muhammad Khan (retired), ABAD’s Islamabad project manager Waseem Afzal Chaudhry, district project manager Arshad Mehmood Asim, EDO (agriculture) Ehsan Ahmad Leghari, EDO (finance) Rana Azhar Ali, EDO (community development) Javaid Gill, ABAD officials and representatives of growers also attended the workshop.

CHINESE TRADERS: A delegation of Chinese traders visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Thursday.

The delegation, led by Chen Ji Vice, also held a meeting with the local business community and discussed in detail the matter of mutual interest. The SCCI president was also present on the occasion.

Later, Chinese traders also visited various leading industrial units in Sialkot amid tight security.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...