Labour minister, Iranian envoy discuss youth exchange, welfare initiatives

LAHORE:Punjab Minister for Labour, Human Resource, Youth Affairs and Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar held a pivotal meeting with the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mehran Moheddfar here on Wednesday.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas such as youth exchange, sports development and labour welfare. Highlighting the shared cultural, historical, and religious ties between the two nations, both dignitaries agreed on the potential for joint projects to further strengthen these connections.

During the meeting, Khokhar highlighted several groundbreaking steps taken by the Punjab government to uplift the labour class and promote inclusivity. He emphasised the success of the province’s first-ever online public court (e-Kachehri), which provides a direct platform for workers to voice their concerns and seek immediate solutions.

“The e-Kachehri is a revolutionary step focused on providing transparent and timely redressal of labour issues. Workers are the backbone of our society, and we aim to expand this initiative across Punjab as a model of responsive governance,” the minister said.

The minister also elaborated on the government’s efforts to enhance sports infrastructure and opportunities across the province. Under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, playgrounds are being revitalised at the grassroots level. Moreover, district and tehsil-level talent hunt programmes, sports scholarships, and coaching camps have been launched to nurture promising athletes.

Iran Consul General Moheddfar lauded the Punjab government’s initiatives for public welfare and labour empowerment. He expressed a strong interest in bilateral collaboration, particularly in the areas of youth and cultural exchange, labour cooperation, and sports diplomacy.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to exploring new avenues for collaboration, underscoring the importance of enhanced people-to-people interactions and mutual support. Both sides pledged to build on their historical ties to create a model of bilateral cooperation that benefits the people of Pakistan and Iran.