Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Phase-II of Green Tractor Programme by announcing results of a ballot for 9500 high power tractors in Punjab. The first tractor went to Raja Rafat Abbas, the second to Nuzhat Parveen and the third to Mian Naseer.
She was briefed by the Secretary Agriculture about ‘CM Punjab Green Tractor Program Phase-II.’ He said that owners of 07 acres or more land would be able to get tractors ranging from 75 to 125 horsepower. He added that Punjab government would provide a subsidy of Rs 1 million for high-power tractors and Rs. 500,000 for medium power tractors with 50 to 65 horsepower under CM Punjab Green Tractor Scheme Phase-II, under which 20,000 tractors would be subsidized. He highlighted that 9,500 tractors would be provided under High Power Tractor Scheme and 10,000 tractors would be provided under Medium Power Scheme.
Chief Minister was apprised that 734,000 farmers applied under Green Tractor Scheme Phase-II. 282,000 farmers were declared eligible for the draw and 9500 have been declared successful in the ballot. Relevant authorities said that 98% of farmers applied for Pakistani-made tractors while 2% of them applied for large and modern imported tractors. They added that due to demand for imported tractors, foreign dealer companies had established dealers and business offices in Punjab.
Separately, the CM met a high-level delegation of Germanay’s Hope Children’s Cancer Center, headed by German pediatric oncologist and neuro-oncologist Dr. Stefan Michael.
She said, “Punjab is the first province in the region to introduce ablation cancer treatment.” She noted that the largest and most modern Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore, Punjab, is rapidly approaching completion. She agreed in-principal to take support of German institutions in the treatment of children’s cancer.
Dr Stefan Michael appreciated the efforts of Punjab government for the treatment of cancer patients in Punjab and said,”High standard of pediatric cancer treatment in Punjab is a remarkable achievement. Excellent treatment with limited resources at Children’s Hospital and Cancer Hospital in Punjab is commendable.” He added that Hope Children’s Cancer Center is collaborating with Aga Khan University in Pakistan for the treatment of cancer, and hoped that training and knowledge exchange between German and Pakistani institutions will bring more positive results.
Chief Minister said that the support of Hope Children’s Cancer Center for the treatment of cancer at Children’s Hospital Lahore would be appreciated. She added that they would welcome Germany’s advanced technology for pediatric oncology. She highlighted that joint training with German institutions for cancer treatment will yield significant results. She noted that Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore was in the final stages of construction and would be the largest and most modern hospital in Pakistan.
Heidelberg Lord Mayor Prof. Dr. Eckhart Wurzner thanked Madam Chief Minister for her hospitality, and said,”Mutual cooperation between Heidelberg and Punjab is the beginning of a new chapter for the people of both cities.” Parliamentary Leader Heidelberg City Council Wasim Butt aid that they were strengthening educational and cultural ties between Lahore and Heidelberg. Other members of the delegation included experts from Heidelberg University Hospital, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Hope Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ).