Pakistani farmers to soon have access to advanced equipment from China: Minister

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has thanked China for granting Head of State protocol to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the just concluded visit.

Addressing a news conference, here, she said CM Maryam Nawaz was on an official visit to China from December 8 to 15. During this visit, she toured four cities in China and held several meetings.

Bukhari pointed out that after China’s President Xi Jinping, the Vice Chairman holds the highest position. The Vice Chairman had scheduled a 30-minute meeting with Maryam Nawaz, but the meeting went on for an hour.

She also mentioned the Chief Minister’s visit to a company that manufactures agricultural equipment, noting that China’s tractors are robotic. “Soon, Pakistani farmers would have access to advanced equipment from China that is used globally,” she added.

The Chief Minister has invited China to collaborate on transportation in Punjab, with plans to purchase around 700 electric buses, she mentioned. “The first fleet of these buses is expected to arrive in Lahore soon,” she informed.

The minister said that a five-year plan has been developed to transition all transportation to electric vehicles. She noted that the Chief Minister had approved a Chinese company, Jinko, to establish a solar plant in Punjab. Over 60 companies have expressed interest in investing in the province, with some projects valued at US $500 million.

Regarding security concerns, the minister said that the Chief Minister has promised to ensure the safety of Chinese investors. Chinese companies will soon begin operations in Punjab.

“CM Maryam Nawaz has also planned to make Lahore a modern smart city, which would soon be one of the most advanced cities globally,” she remarked.

Bukhari said that charging stations for electric bikes would soon be set up in Lahore for students, adding that Maryam Nawaz is bringing cutting-edge cancer treatment technology from China, and the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital would feature 1,000 beds. The Chief Minister has committed to transforming Punjab into the most modern province, she maintained.