Punjab CM meets German Ambassador, declares environmental protection a priority, welcomes assistance
She expressed these views during a meeting with German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with German Ambassador Anna Lippel in which Germany’s cooperation in modern agricultural technology, green technology and forestation was appreciated.
The Chief Minister appreciated Germany’s timely message of solidarity and cooperation after the recent floods and welcomed further cooperation on the exchange of skilled manpower and Germany’s dual vocational training model.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that Germany is a long-standing partner of Pakistan in tackling climate change, women’s empowerment, social protection and human development. The G2G talks between Pakistan and Germany in November will further strengthen the partnership.
She said that there are opportunities to further expand the long-standing relations between Pakistan and Germany at the provincial level. My vision is a prosperous and modern Punjab where every citizen is empowered. Germany can be an important partner in fulfilling this dream.
He also said that in 2024, the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Germany was 3.63 billion US dollars, Pakistan’s trade balance was positive, 40 German companies are already operating in Pakistan, which are creating jobs and opportunities.
The Chief Minister of Punjab said that environmental protection is my top priority, the recent devastating floods and cross-border smog are a big challenge for us.
The meeting also discussed the promotion of education, the increasing number of Pakistani students studying in Germany and innovation in the curriculum.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while appreciating the services of German scholar Anne-Marie Schmel, also welcomed Germany’s cooperation in the promotion of sports and said that recently the German junior hockey team visited Lahore, looking forward to more sports exchange and coaching opportunities.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that Punjab values its relations with Germany.
He told the German ambassador that the scope of WASA is being expanded from 4 districts to 23 districts, and that the presence of WASA and organizations like Clean Punjab for cleanliness in every area of Punjab has improved the lives of the people.
He also said that the biggest flood in Punjab occurred due to simultaneous high flood in three rivers and continuous rains for three months, and the timely evacuation, rescue and relief operations of the Punjab government made it possible to save millions of lives.
The Chief Minister of Punjab said that along with human lives, the lives of animals were saved, 2.2 million cattle were shifted from the flood-affected areas to safe places, everyone in the flood-affected areas was sure that the government was with us and would take care of us.
He further said that the flood victims were provided with accommodation, food, dry rations, hospitals, veterinary dispensaries and fodder, and health counters in field hospitals, clinics on wheels and flood relief camps made it possible to prevent many diseases.
In addition, the German Ambassador visited the Wasa Expo and called it commendable.
German Ambassador Anna Lepel said that there was a lot of flooding in various rural areas of Punjab, but the government did a very good job.
