US to play role in South Punjab uplift: Blome

MULTAN: United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Friday visited a famous shrine in South Punjab and appeared happy over the promotion of culture in the region.

Talking to journalists here, he said he was happy on his first visit to Multan. He visited Darbar Shah Shams Tabriz and reviewed development works. He said Multan was culturally significant. He also met Multan businessmen and had a discussion on improvement of the economy. He said he was happy to see cultural development in Multan. He visited educational institutions, health and other institutions as well. He said the US would continue to play a role in the development of the region. The inauguration of an anti-rape cell at the Nishtar Hospital will be effective in providing justice to rape victims. The US is assisting Pakistan in dealing with climate change and energy issues.

Earlier, he visited the South Punjab Secretariat and met Additional Chief Secretary Saqib Zafar. The ACS briefed him about the profile, issues, history and culture of South Punjab and the objectives of establishing the South Punjab Secretariat. He said the secretariat accelerated the pace of development in the region, but still there was a long way to go. He said efforts were on to enhance the standard of living and literacy rate and eradicate poverty. Zafar said South Punjab was an important region in terms of food security and measures to increase agricultural production were yielding excellent results. South Punjab has vast potential in agriculture and livestock sectors. The launch of the Green Book in schools on climate change and establishment of transgender schools are distinctive initiatives of the secretariat. He highlighted the first rowing competition in the history of South Punjab held in Bahawalpur and said the next boating competition would be held at the Punjab level. He informed that a plan had been drawn up to restore historical forts in Cholistan. He also briefed on the Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally and Thal Jeep Rally.

Blome declared the Green Book and transgender schools wonderful initiatives. He said climate change and food security were international issues and collective efforts were required to overcome them. He said Pakistan had the capacity to meet food needs of the world.

Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Saqib Ali Attil gave a briefing about steps taken in the agriculture sector. The additional chief secretary presented a commemorative shield to Blome.

Consul General Christen Hawkins, Public Diplomacy Officer Karl Rogers, Economic Officer Douglas Justin, Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Maher Muhammad Hayat Lak, Secretary Services Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen and Secretary Specialized Healthcare Afzal Nasir Khan were present.