UK to help resolve climate, water management issues

LAHORE:The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, called on Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan here at Governor's House, on Monday.

In the meeting, strengthening of bilateral relations and tackling the challenges of climate change were discussed. Governor informed the British High Commissioner about the efforts to solarise Governor’s House Lahore and universities in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, governor said that Pakistan attaches great importance to relations with Britain. He said that British cooperation in education, health, social and other fields is commendable. Climate change is a global issue, he said, adding despite having minimum contribution to carbon emissions, Pakistan has suffered a lot due to climate change. He said that climate change is also having adverse effect on the agriculture sector of the country.

Punjab Governor said that federal and provincial governments are working on various projects to deal with the issue of climate challenge. Pakistan has plenty of renewable energy resources, he said and added that there was a need to bring people towards solar energy to deal with the energy crisis. He appreciated the water management programme started in different districts of Punjab with the cooperation of Great Britain.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that the Great Britain would cooperate with Pakistan in all possible ways to resolve the issues of climate change and water management. Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan expressed deep grief over the death of Prince Bin Khalid in Makkah. Expressing his condolences to the bereaved royal family and the Saudi people, governor said that all of his sympathies were with the royal family and the Saudi people in this hour of sorrow.

19 new uplift schemes reviewed

Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood Monday chaired the Divisional Development Working Party meeting at his office and reviewed 19 new development schemes for Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Kasur districts.

The committee approved various schemes relating to urban development, roads, higher and special education, and local government. The commissioner also approved 10 new WASA schemes focused on sewerage, drains and water supply for different towns.

The commissioner also approved the development scheme for Government College Kulliyat-ul-Banat. The commissioner gave conditional approval for road schemes in Kasur and Lahore, requesting more detailed information. He emphasized that the quality of development schemes will be strictly monitored and projects must be completed on time.

Director (Dev) Javed Rasheed Chohan and Assistant Director Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal presented the review of the schemes. The meeting was attended by deputy directors and representatives from the relevant departments.