‘Digital Punjab’ my dream, says Maryam

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz marked the fifth day of her China visit with a packed schedule on Friday.

She visited Huawei Technologies’ Bantian headquarters in Shenzhen’s Longgang District, where she toured various sections and was warmly welcomed by Huawei officials.

During her meeting with Huawei’s Government Affairs Director, Mr. Wang Chengdong, the chief minister discussed initiatives to transform Lahore into a modern digital city.

She invited Huawei’s president to visit Lahore and invest in Pakistan, particularly Punjab. The meeting concluded with a decision to make Lahore Pakistan’s first modern smart city in collaboration with Huawei. She also proposed the establishment of Huawei offices and after-sales service centres across Punjab, offering full support for setting up assembly and manufacturing plants in the province.

Key discussion topics included e-commerce, ecosystem and ICT infrastructure development, and the digitisation of the health and education sectors.

The chief minister reiterated her vision for “Digital Punjab” and expressed her commitment to utilising Huawei’s expertise in telecommunication and digitisation. She highlighted plans for Punjab’s first full-fledged AI university and emphasised capacity building and IT research at the Nawaz Sharif IT City.

Later, the chief minister travelled to Yantian District, where she visited BGI Genomics, a global leader in genetic research and cancer treatment.

An MoU was signed between the Punjab government and BGI for cooperation in cancer treatment and other initiatives. Discussions also covered advancements in rice production techniques and the establishment of a health sector working group.

BGI officials briefed the chief minister on their ongoing projects, including genetic research and its applications in health and agriculture. She invited BGI to invest in Punjab by establishing research centres and laboratories for genetic testing. The collaboration aims to enhance medical research, faculty training, and the development of the health sector.

In Shanghai, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the Jinko Solar Company headquarters, where she praised the company’s innovative approach and environmental sustainability efforts. She invited Jinko Solar to establish a manufacturing unit in Pakistan, emphasising the growing demand for solar energy in the country.

The chief minister also announced initiatives in Punjab, including free solar panels for low-consumption households and interest-free loans for middle-income consumers.

She underscored the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, describing it as “ironclad,” and highlighted China’s consistent support during challenging times.

The delegation concluded their day with a high-speed train journey from Shenzhen to Wangzhou, which the chief mMinister described as a memorable experience. She expressed her determination to introduce a high-speed railway system in Punjab.