Chief Investment Officer of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Mr Konstantin Limitovskiy called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, during which matters of mutual interest and enhancement of institutional cooperation came under discussion. AIIB Director General Miss Xiaohong Yang was also present in the meeting.
The chief minister briefed the delegation about record development projects being undertaken in Punjab and offered the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank partnership in development projects in the province.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government’s “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme was appreciated during the 13th session of the Baku Urban Forum, adding that more than 100,000 houses had been constructed within one year under the programme.
She said electric bus and e-bike programmes were being successfully implemented across every part of Punjab. The chief minister appreciated AIIB’s cooperation on the signing of an MoU for improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure in Lahore, saying the mutual agreements reflected the bank’s confidence in Punjab’s development and reform agenda.
She said the Lahore Wastewater and Drainage Management Project, including the sewerage network and wastewater treatment plant at Babu Sabu, would help improve the drainage system. CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz said AIIB’s support for the proposed surface water treatment plant at the BRBD Canal was valuable and added that cooperation with the bank would bring positive changes in urban culture.
She said Punjab was moving rapidly towards environmental protection and improvement in public health, adding that the province was heading towards a new model of urban governance. “Data planning, technology monitoring and climate-smart infrastructure will improve the lifestyle of the people,” she said, adding that provision of clean water, healthcare and an efficient transport system were among the priorities of the Punjab government.
The chief minister also welcomed AIIB Chief Investment Officer Konstantin Limitovskiy to Lahore, describing the city as Pakistan’s cultural hub, and said the Punjab government valued its partnership with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has felicitated all pilgrims present at Haram Sharif for performing the sacred obligation of Hajj.
In her special message issued on the occasion of Hajj, the chief minister appealed to pilgrims and Muslims across the world to pray for global peace, harmony and security. She also made a special appeal for prayers for the stability, solidarity and safety of Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah.
CM Punjab prayed for the acceptance of the worship and supplications of the pilgrims and the Muslim Ummah. She said the Hajj congregation symbolizes unity, mutual harmony and the spirit of sacrifice among Muslims.