MULTAN, March 12: The Multan city district government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with an Italian organisation under the “Multan Oldest Living City 2008-13” programme.

The programme is meant for protection of Multan’s rich heritage and development of health, education, agriculture, transport, sewerage and other infrastructure in the district.

At a ceremony to formalise the roles and responsibilities of the two partners, Italian ambassador Vincenzo Prati assured his full support for the programme.

He said under this programme agriculture technology would be exhibited in Multan permanently and a model project would be established to increase and demonstrate Multan’s farm products.

He supported the plan to declare Rome and Multan twin cities, adding he would send suggestions in this regard to the mayor of Rome.

Mr Prati also visited various monuments of the city and described Multan as “the conquering city of souls and minds”.

He said five sub-projects would be initiated over the next five years to promote Multan’s culture, archeological sites and farm products.

He said a model housing project would be established in the district with the help of the private sector and financial institutions.