Solar panels to be installed at 17,000 schools: CM

LAHORE

A meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, reviewed progress on different steps taken for the promotion of education in the province as well as programmes including construction of additional classrooms, installation of solar panels in schools and provision of stipend to girl students under “Khadim-e-Punjab Schools Programme”. 

The chief minister gave approval to extension in New Schools Programme (NSP) of the Punjab Education Foundation as well as installation of solar panels in schools in South Punjab in the first phase. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that solar panels would be installed in 17,000 schools throughout the province and the programme was being started from the schools of South Punjab. He said the provision of solar panels to the schools in far-flung and remote areas was of very importance; therefore, the programme would be forwarded on fast track. 

Shahbaz Sharif said the steering committee constituted for the purpose would hold meeting fortnightly and he would preside over the meeting. He directed that the assignment of installation of solar panels in 17,000 schools should be completed as early as possible.

The chief minister said the Punjab government had increased the monthly stipend to Rs. 1000 for girls studying in sixth to secondary classes in Southern Punjab districts and a sum of more than Rs 5 billion had been earmarked for the programme. 

HOSPITAL:  Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting in which progress on a 100-bed hospital project as well as improvement of public health facilities was reviewed.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that improvement in healthcare facilities was top priority of the government and added that steps and result oriented efforts were bearing fruit.  "Projects of provision of latest healthcare facilities to the people are being completed speedily.  Hospitals equipped with latest facilities have been constructed in different cities, while work is in progress on different projects of construction of hospitals. Government Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh is providing quality treatment facilities to the people and the Punjab government is working on a mega project of expansion of this hospital," he added. 

Shahbaz Sharif said that construction work on a 100-bed modern hospital in Manawan was in progress speedily. "Completion of this project will result in provision of diagnostic and quality medical facilities to the masses. The hospital would be a high-grade institution with regard to its construction, healthcare facilities and provision of other services," he added. 

PROJECTS: A meeting was held here in which progress on ongoing development projects and other welfare programmes was reviewed. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that a large number of people of the province were benefitting from welfare programmes of billions of rupees of the Punjab government and added that fruits of development were reaching the people. "People are getting relief from mega projects completed in the province. The development projects of Muslim League (N) are a symbol of transparency, quality and speed. Welfare projects should be completed in the stipulated period and their high standard ensured at every cost. Speedy development work will help provide best facilities to the people and a new era of development and prosperity will usher in after completion of development projects in the province," he added. 

GERMAN COMPANY: Executive Director of famous German company Lahmeyer International, Bernd Metzger, called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including extending cooperation in energy sector came under discussion. The chief minister also spoke in German language with members of the delegation who praised his grasp over German language. Talking to the delegation, the chief minister said energy projects in Pakistan were being completed with hard work and observed that many of them were near completion. 

AMBASSADOR: A high level delegation led by Dr. Brigitta Blaha, Ambassador of Austria, called on Shahbaz Sharif. Different matters of mutual interest including promotion of bilateral relations and extending cooperation in different sectors were discussed during the meeting. The Austrian delegation showed its interest in extending cooperation in hydropower projects, especially small hydro projects and electricity production from solid waste. The Austrian Ambassador invited the Chief Minister to visit Austria and praised his wonderful steps for woman empowerment and their progress. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan and Austria had good friendly relations but there was a need to further extend trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Austria.