LAHORE:Sichuan University China’s Pakistan Study Centre Director Prof Song Zhi Hui has said that Pakistan has a huge potential in economic field and its economy is emerging fast in recent years which may bring bright future for the country and the whole region.
While addressing a seminar on Poverty Alleviation and China Pakistan Cooperation organised by Punjab University’s Pakistan Study Centre he emphasised the need for improvement in infrastructure, creation of job opportunities and increase in revenue for poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla, Dr Amjad Magsi, faculty members and students of MPhil and PhD participated in the seminar.
Addressing the seminar, Prof Song Zhi Hui was of the opinion that CPEC would bring so many opportunities for economic developments like jobs. He underlined areas to be focused including industrial relocation, agricultural development and tourisms promotion.
Prof Song explained the methodologies and strategies adopted by China for its flagship success in poverty alleviation. He said China had taken astonishing development strides in all the sectors since reforms and of all poverty alleviation was the most striking one. He said it had lifted over 800 million people in a period of 40 years. He claimed it was unprecedented achievement in the social sector. He elaborated methodologies adopted for poverty alleviation including small scale relief, systematical push, large scale development, whole village assistance and precise alleviation of poverty.
Dr Chawla threw light on China’s emergence as the second largest economic power of the world. He said China had surprised the world with its very successful poverty alleviation strategy. He said China had been working for global peace and prosperity.
He also said since the inception of One Belt One Read (OBOR) in 2013, the US’s fear of China’s rise had increased. He said with India, the US was trying to hamper the growth and advancement of China in global economic arena. He said Pakistan and China had been enjoying a success story of successful, dynamic and strong relationship.
Later, an MOU was signed between PU’s Pakistan Study Centre and Pakistan Study Centre, Sichuan University China. It was also announced that Chinese university would set up a branch of Institute of Belt and Road, Sichuan University at PU’s Pakistan Study Centre.
uplift schemes: The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved six development schemes of various sectors at an estimated cost of Rs 12.78 billion.
The approved development schemes are: Prime Minister’s Health Initiative at a cost of Rs 2,789.446 million, Provision of Missing Specialties for Upgradation of DHQ Hospital Sahiwal into Teaching Hospital (Revised) at a cost of Rs 5,544.023 million, Construction of PCC Slab, Sewerage/Drainage and Water Supply Schemes, Rokhari, Ghundi, Dilley Wali and Mouch, Isa Khel tehsil, Mianwali district, at a cost of Rs 500 million, Construction of Additional Ring Road Bahawalpur Railway Station to Bino Hospital via Bindra Pully-Dewan Pully-Sadar Pully-Kali, length 10.50 Km, Bahawalpur, (revised) at a cost of Rs 1,161.475 million, Dualisation of Road from Bahawalpur-Yazman Road to Chandni Chowk, length 37.06 km, Bahawalpur district, at a cost of Rs 2,793.606 million.
Another scheme Presentation on Construction of New Administration Block on the Premises of Lahore High Court, Lahore (discussion of design) was cleared by the PDWP and also sent to CDWP for its final approval.