MULTAN: South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani met Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren to discuss matters of mutual interest, including plans to cultivate red chilli in the region.
Zhao Shiren emphasised the strong, enduring friendship between China and Pakistan. He highlighted the successful completion of various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that all provinces, including Balochistan, would benefit from new development milestones. The upcoming inauguration of Gwadar International Airport was also mentioned.
To address youth unemployment and poverty, Zhao Shiren proposed sending 200,000 Pakistani students to China forinformation technology training. He also announced that Huawei experts would provide artificial intelligence and IT training to South Punjab’s youth.
China expressed its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s agricultural sector through initiatives such as corporate farming, seed research, improving cotton quality, and modern irrigation systems. Zhao Shiren indicated that a Chinese company would visit South Punjab to assess red chilli pepper cultivation, while a South Punjab delegation would be sent to China to study advancements in various sectors.
Rabbani appreciated China’s educational and agricultural initiatives and expressed interest in learning from the Chinese model. He highlighted the potential of a special industrial zone in Jalalpur Pirwala and emphasized the importance of technology transfer to boost regional progress and reduce unemployment. South Punjab’s agricultural potential was emphasized, with a focus on highquality seed research, increased per-acre yield, and livestock breeding. Rabbani also shared plans for promoting the cottage industry and expanding the “Zero Out of School Children” pilot project.