Shahbaz seeks more ADB funding for development projects

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) should provide development funds to the tune of $1.5 billion every year for health, education and other sectors.

Financial support of ADB for development schemes aiming at public welfare during the next five years in Punjab will be appreciated by the government, he said as a five-member delegation headed by ADB Country Director Xiaohong Yang called on him.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed made on different projects launched in collaboration with the ADB and agreed to further extend mutual cooperation, including the venture which are based on public-private partnership. The ADB is already providing $500 million for energy and irrigation projects in the province.

The chief minister said the Greater Thal Canal and Greater Cholistan Canal projects would also be completed with the ADB funding, adding that Cholistan would be made green and cultivable through Water Resource Management Project.

He also praised the ADB for its support to the water treatment plant in Faisalabad and the planned launched of the Purple Line Metro Train project in Lahore. Shahbaz said Punjab was far ahead of other provinces in education, health, agriculture and other sectors. He cited different initiatives introduced in health, education and agriculture sectors, including most transparent system for distribution of medicines, mobile health units, Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases (MIKD), provision of stipends to girl students to increase literacy rate in the womenfolk, use of technology to increase agricultural productivity.

Xiaohong Yang paid tributes Shahbaz, saying Punjab Speed was known the world over and his development vision had become an example for others. She said Lahore was considered as a secured city for investment and tourism after the completion of Safe City Project.

She expressed deep interest in the Orange Line Metro Train and termed it as the best mass transit project. Separately, Shahbaz condemned rocket attack at the vehicle of security forces in North Waziristan and expressed deep sense of sorrow over the martyrdom of two personnel.

He said soldiers sacrificing their lives for maintaining peace in motherland were the national heroes. “The whole nation is united in war against terrorism,” he said and added that terrorists and their facilitators would be defeated with the power of unity.