Nothing is more important than human life: Maryam

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while chairing a review meeting on the launch of the Air Ambulance Service in Punjab, said on Friday all resources will be spent on people of the province. She said: “The Air Ambulance Service will be used in case of accidents in remote areas. The scope of this service will be gradually expanded in Punjab. The service will also be provided to assist other provinces when an emergency arises.”

Earlier, she was told that the first training session for the first-ever Air Ambulance Service, not only in Punjab but also in the entire country, had started. In a meeting with a delegation of the ADM Holding Limited, led by its Senior Adviser Umar Farooq, she said educational institutions including schools are being digitized in line with the modern needs. “Latest computer tabs will be provided to teachers in schools to improve preparation and attendance of their lessons. Digitization will be completed through public private partnership. The youth, especially women, can be empowered using ICT skills. The start of free Wi-Fi service in Lahore is a right step in this direction. This service will be gradually expanded to other cities of the province after Lahore.”

Earlier, the senior adviser ADM Holding Limited gave a briefing on internet in schools. The possibilities of mutual cooperation in education, health, housing and other sectors in Punjab were also discussed in the meeting. Both agreed in principle to cooperate for the establishment of video gaming centres for international competitions.

The delegation also offered to establish an entertainment arena and a boxing and football academy in Lahore. The chief minister directed the sports minister to review the prospects of cooperation with the delegation. The meeting reviewed the ADM Holding Limited’s interest in partnering for vehicle number plates and digitization of land record system in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz met Ambassador of Holland in Pakistan Henny de Vries in which matters pertaining to mutual interest along with enhancing bilateral relations between Holland and Punjab were discussed. The chief minister invited Dutch companies and investors to avail maximum benefit from business opportunities in the province. “We can benefit from the Netherlands’ latest mode of agriculture and technologies. We want to enhance cooperation with the Netherlands in the cultivation of crops, irrigation techniques and agricultural machinery sectors,” Maryam said.

The chief minister added: “We want to benefit from the expertise of the Netherlands to improve Punjab’s agricultural production and performance. We want to acquire the Netherlands technological assistance so as to put in order water reservoirs in a better shape, reducing floods and improving the quality of water.”

Meanwhile, Maryam approved Rs13 lakh aid for the treatment of renowned visual artist, author and art educationist Professor SM Mansoor, who is undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) for a liver disease. The Punjab government will provide Rs4.5 lakh annually for the treatment of Professor SM Mansoor for three years. Mansoor will be able to get free treatment from the PKLI.