LAHORE, Aug 8: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said here on Sunday that direct people-to-people and cultural contact between Pakistan and India were playing a major role in improving relations between them and ensuring lasting peace in the region.

The institution of Punjabi language and culture has been established in the province which would further strengthen academic and cultural relations between the two countries, he said while speaking to Indian actor and parliament member Raj Babbar who called on him here. Some Pakistani showbiz people were also present.

The chief minister said the present government was taking solid steps for the promotion of cultural activities in the country. It would establish a theatre over a 100-kanal of land for the recreation of people and a production processing laboratory for better production of films.

He said Lahore was an important city of the sub-continent with regard to its cultural and historical background. Therefore, the government was implementing a comprehensive programme for the restoration of its cultural heritage and providing better accommodation and other facilities to foreign tourists.

The chief minister said cultural ties between the two countries would help those attached to the showbiz improve their creative abilities. Both the countries had a great scope of promoting their art and culture.

Mr Raj Babbar said he too hailed from Gujrat's village Jalalpur Jattan. He said the improvement of relations between the two countries in the fields of economic and culture was a welcome step which would help establish peace in the region. He urged the need for furthering cooperation in the field of showbiz between the two countries.