MULTAN, March 4: The Italian government will spend $20 million on the reservation of cultural heritage and development of education, health, agriculture and other infrastructures in Multan under a ‘Multan the oldest living city in the world’ programme.

It was stated by Pak-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ettore Marzocchi in a meeting with City District Nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar here on Tuesday.

Mr Marzocchi, also the president of ECS, said the Italian government would provide Rs66 billions to Pakistan in five years for various projects.

He said the projects of water-reservoirs, mines in Balochistan and the Northern Areas, projects to control environmental pollution on the mountains of K-2 and Karakuram and projects for the development of various sectors of Multan were the part of the programme.

He said Italy had planned $20 million plan for Multan because of its historical importance. Under the project, preservation of archeological finds and cultural and historical heritage will be carried out while research will be done on the history of the city.

The plan also includes the development of handicraft, art and music while a fashion and design school will also be established here. The Italian government will also fund model processing plants for mango-related items while modern machinery will be imported for the construction of sewerage and roads projects.

According to the programme, model houses will be built for low-income citizens, while the Italian ambassador to Pakistan will sign an accord on March 7, regarding the combine programme of the city district government and the ECS.

A steering committee will be made consisting of representatives of Multan Chamber of Commerce and City District Government to manage the funds.

Mr Mukhtar told Mr Marzocchi the district government had done all the paper work regarding the cultural heritage, sewerage, education, health and other sectors while initial plans of the projects were also complete.

He praised the Italian government for its help, saying that Multan and Rome would be declared twin cities.