Kirmani, Saudi Arabia trader discuss bilateral ties

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani met with Aamir Khawas, Chief Executive Officer of the former governor of Saudi Arabia’s Hafr Al-Batin Province and businessman Prince Mansour Bin Mohammed Al Saud, at the Punjab Assembly.

The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest and strengthening bilateral relations. Speaking on the occasion, the minister stated that Pakistan highly values its friendship with Saudi Arabia, a country that has always supported Pakistan in difficult times. He praised Saudi Arabia's cooperation in various sectors of Punjab and added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government is focused on the development of the agricultural sector, taking extensive measures in this regard.

He shared that the ‘Transforming Punjab Agriculture Program,’ worth Rs400 billion, is being implemented, and interest-free loans amounting to Rs150 billion are being provided to farmers this year through Kissan Cards. To address the issue of smog, mechanisation is a sustainable solution, and the government has taken timely measures to control it. This year, 5,000 super seeders are being provided to farmers at a 60/40 subsidy. The Punjab government is also about to launch a modern agricultural machinery rental services programme, making all equipment available to farmers at subsidised rates.

The minister announced the establishment of Agri Malls in every district of Punjab, where farmers will be able to purchase quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at subsidized rates, along with renting or buying machinery. Additionally, under the Green Tractor Scheme, the Punjab government is providing 9,500 tractors with a subsidy of PKR 1 million per tractor. Measures are also being taken to convert farmers' electric tube-wells to solar energy.