CM holds bilateral talks with Iraqi ambassador

Iraqi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Rushdi Mahmood Rasheed called on Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif and discussed bilateral relations with him, matters of mutual interest and cooperation in various sectors. Member National Assembly Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq and the Planning and Development chairman were also present on the occasion.
Talking to the Iraqi ambassador, the CM said Iraq was a brotherly Islamic country of Pakistan and there was a need to further enhance ties between both countries. He said that besides cooperation in development of various sectors, Punjab was ready to send manpower to Iraq for reconstruction and rehabilitation work. He said Iraq could also import wheat, rice, cement, machinery and other products from Pakistan. He informed the Iraqi ambassador about the initiatives taken for the development of the province and the prosperity of its people.
The Iraqi ambassador said Iraq needed vast cooperation from Pakistan for reconstruction and rehabilitation work, besides manpower for this purpose. He said Iraq also wanted to import wheat, rice, sugar and other products. He added that Punjab was a big province and manpower was abundant there. While appreciating the initiatives taken by the CM for the development of the province, he said Iraq wanted cooperation in various sectors from Punjab.
CM ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF CAREER OPPORTUNITY BUREAU: Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the elimination of unemployment in the province. He said the process of provision of interest-free loans to unemployed youth to start their own businesses had been initiated through the Akhuwat organisation. He said Rs 1,000,000 had been allocated for this purpose and these interest-free loans were being given to the skilled youth on priority basis. He said the promotion of the cottage industry for the elimination of unemployment was vital and the government was paying full attention to its promotion and development.
He said this during a briefing given by renowned cricketer Aamir Suhail and Bashir Tahir regarding setting up of the Career Opportunity Bureau (COB) on Sunday. The additional chief secretary, Higher Education secretary, Punjab Vocational Training Council chairman, Sports director general and experts also attended the briefing.
The CM termed the establishment of the COB to give career counselling to the unemployed youth, collection of information about trained and untrained unemployed youths and courses for their training a welcome step, adding that education, industry, labour, social welfare, sports and youth affairs, population welfare and other concerned departments should jointly formulate comprehensive recommendations for this purpose and submit them within the next four days. He said a strategy would be evolved in the light of these recommendations.
He added that the aim of institutions like CBO should be establishing contacts between departments engaged in providing jobs to the youth. He said the Punjab government was preparing skilled manpower according to the needs of the market and TEVTA had been made an active institution for this purpose. He added that besides collecting data about unemployed youths, creation of job opportunities was also essential and the Punjab government had been paying attention to it. He said economic and trade activities had been promoted in the province. He added that economic development and promotion of industries was essential for the elimination of unemployment and solid steps had been taken in this regard.
Earlier, Tahir highlighted the aims and objectives of the CBO and its importance. He said a research department would be set up under this bureau, which would arrange training programmes for unemployed youths, keeping in view the needs of every sector of economy. He said information regarding registration of unemployed, trained and untrained youths could be collected through the COB.
CM SENDS CONDOLENCES TO FOOD SECRETARY: The Punjab CM has expressed a sense of deep sorrow and grief over the death of mother of Food Secretary Irfan Elahi.
PUNJAB GOVT AND THE FRENCH PLAN A WASTE WATER TREATMENT PROJECT: The Punjab CM presided over a high level meeting which reviewed in detail the project of a waste water treatment plant in Lahore to be installed with the cooperation of France. Misters Diber and Michael of France, Assembly Members Pervaiz Malik, Shahbaz Ahmad, the chief secretary, Planning and Development chairman, secretaries Finance, Housing, Forests, the LDA director general, the Lahore DCO, the WASA Managing Director, representatives of NESPAK and Mehmood Bhatti attended the meeting.
The CM said the project was of great importance. He ordered that a comprehensive briefing should be prepared in consultation with experts, keeping in view all aspects of the project.
Mr Diber of France said their company had already installed waste water treatment plants in various countries and they intended to install a plant in the provincial capital, jointly with the Punjab government. He said their company would not only provide training to the staff, but would also provide modern technology in this regard.