LAHORE, June 23: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi called on Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the State Guest House here on Wednesday. Matters of mutual interest and development projects in the province were discussed at the meeting.

Mr Tong appreciated the reforms introduced by the Punjab government in the field of education. He said the development of any society depended on the level of education of its individuals.

Tong said Lahore enjoyed a unique place in Pakistan in terms of its traditions of hospitality and social interaction. The chief minister informed the Singaporean prime minister that the government had decided to upgrade all the middle schools to the high school level.

He said the enrolment level at the schools had increased in the province after the introduction of reforms. Pervaiz Elahi said the government had prepared a comprehensive programme to provide better housing facilities to the people.

He said incentives were being provided to the private sector developers so that they could complete the housing projects easily. Mr Elahi said there was a great scope for improvement in the trade relations between Pakistan and Singapore.

Mr Goh Chok Tong also visited the mausoleum of poet-philosopher Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal. He was accompanied by Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Leghari, members of his entourage and senior officials.

On his arrival at the mazar, he was received by District Nazim Mian Amir Mahmood and the 'khateeb' of the Badshahi mosque, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad. A contingent of Sutlej Rangers presented the guard of honour on the occasion.

The prime minister laid a floral wreath on the mazar and remained silent for a few moments to pay homage to the poet. Later, he visited the Badshahi Mosque. The Singaporean premier evinced keen interest in the architecture of the mosque built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir.

A senior official of the Auqaf department showed the guests various parts of the mosque and briefed them about its history. Goh Chok Tong while recording his impressions in the visitor's book termed the mosque a great wonder.

From the mosque, the Singapore premier and members of his entourage drove to the Lahore Museum. The visitors were received at the site by Punjab Information and Culture Secretary Taimur Azmat Usman, and Museum Director Gulzar Mashhadi.

Tong visited different sections of the museum and showed deep interest in the Gandhara Gallery, and stood for some time before the statue of the fasting Buddha. Recording his impressions, the Singapore premier said, "This is a precious collection of Buddhist and other heritage relics and artifacts."

Earlier, Goh Chok Tong arrived here by a special aircraft from Islamabad on a brief visit to the Punjab capital on Wednesday morning. At the airport, he was received by Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool and Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

Two children presented bouquets to the distinguished guest while students of City District Government schools showered flower petals and waved the Singaporean and Pakistani flags. -APP