be replicated in Pakistan: former envoy

FAISALABAD: Former South Korean ambassador Dr Jong Hwan Song has said that his country and Pakistan are enjoying good relations in different fields, including agriculture, education and rural development, that will help achieve prosperity. He was talking to University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at the VC Chamber here on Monday. He said that collaboration in small water reservoirs could be initiated with Pakistani institutions that would help address the water issue. He said that there were many similarities between the two countries, adding that languages of both countries had some common words. He said that the enhanced collaboration would help fight the challenges, especially in agriculture. He lauded the steps being taken on the part of the UAF to uplift the agriculture and education sectors. He called for further cementing ties to create new business and investment opportunities and to get benefit from each other experiences. He said that the Korean rural development model - Saemaul Undong - launched in 1970 could be replicated in Pakistan. The Saemaul Undong spirit was based on diligence, self-help and cooperation among the farmers, he added. UAF Vice-Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan stressed the need to learn from the Korean experiences. He said that the UAF had the waste range of work on water management. He said: “We have the large population of youth. If we train and provide them quality education, the country can overcome the challenges of poverty, unemployment and low per capita income.”