US Consul General in Lahore Kristin K. Hawkins called on Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Monday and exchanged views with him over further strengthening relations between the two countries as well as enhancing cooperation in different sectors. The consul general praised the chief minister for his pro-people steps. “You are quite hardworking and a proactive chief minister,” she said, adding, “Everybody praises you for the work you have done for the people of the province so far. The truth of the matter is that under your leadership the caretaker government of Punjab has served the masses.” Whenever one sees you, she went on to say, you are always working. On behalf of her government, Kristin expressed the desire to collaborate with the Punjab government in trade and education sectors. “Sister state relationship already exists between Punjab and California, and we want to increase cooperation by taking advantage of that relationship.”Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the provincial government wanted to benefit from the US expertise in the agriculture sector, especially to increase wheat production. “We want the affiliation of educational institutions of Punjab with the University of California,” he said, adding, “It is also our desire to build small homes for people in Punjab just like it is in California.”

 The chief minister said that smog was the biggest issue confronting the Punjab government, and it was necessary to identify its causes. Provincial ministers Amir Mir and SM Tanveer were also present on the occasion. CM Naqvi visits Lahore’s hospitals The chief minister visited Children Hospital and General Hospital in Lahore late Sunday night.During a visit to the Children Hospital, he inspected the work underway on the upgradation of the hospital’s emergency ward, main corridor and different wards. He appreciated the labourers as well as contractors for ensuring quality of the work. He also watched a play area built for the children on the second floor of the hospital’s building. However, he directed that the work be completed at their earliest. “After its upgradation is complete, the emergency ward will be opened for patients during the ongoing week,” he announced. However, the chief minister was not pleased at all with the slow pace of work on the upgradation of different wards of the General Hospital. Expressing his displeasure over the shortage of manpower at the hospital, he ordered increasing the number of labourers as well as speeding up the pace of work. The CM also visited the operation theaters currently under-construction.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)