LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday chaired a meeting for a briefing on the progress made so far on the Central Business District, Ravi Urban Development Authority and Nawaz Sharif IT City projects.
She highlighted that the foundation stone of a local campus of the Imperial College London would be laid in November, wherein a 300-bed state-of-the-art hospital would also be built. Authorities briefed her that 78% construction of IT Tower in the Nawaz Sharif IT City has been completed. The Ravi City would be Pakistan’s first completely green city.
Maryam stressed the need for early completion of the Future Project, and set a target to complete RUDA Primary Dam on the Ravi River before possible floods to protect Lahore. She directed authorities to submit a quarterly report on the Future Project, and sought from them a viable business plan for RUDA. She also set a two-year target for the completion of RUDA Phase-I.
The chief minister was briefed that Chinese and Turkish companies have expressed interest in the Entertainment City, while DOF Robotics and U-Band Pleasure have expressed interest in the Theme Park. They said: “An 80-seater flying theater will be built in the Entertainment City. Various institutions have expressed interest in Silicon City, University Block, ASTRA Block and Film City.”
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz has given good news to children in her message on X, saying people will now be able to see giraffes in Lahore after a long wait of eight years.
She noted that giraffes from South Africa have reached Lahore’s Safari Park. She said: “Arrival of a new pair of giraffes at the Lahore Zoo has revived charm of the deserted enclosure. Three years ago, after the death of a male giraffe, his female companion was left alone. For the first time in decades, children’s desire to see giraffes will now be met in the Safari Park.”
She highlighted that a 2-year ban on import of animals, imposed due to the poor condition of zoos, has been lifted. She underscored that the arrival of giraffes was a manifestation of restoration of global trust in Punjab’s wildlife, as historic reforms and arrangements in line with world standards have been made in the wildlife sector during the past eight months. Now, children will be more excited and pleased to see giraffes at the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park.