Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, said the present government has taken a number of revolutionary measures for the elimination of poverty and facilities have been provided to the educational institutions under the Education Sector Reforms Programme. The Chief Minister was talking to British Deputy High Commissioner Simon Butt, who called on him here on Monday.
He said that due to solid economic policies of the government, the pace of industrialisation has accelerated and new job opportunities are being generated in the province.
"Relations between Britain and Pakistan were based on strong foundations and there was a wide scope of co-operation between the two countries in economic sectors," he added.
According to him, the present government has evolved a revolutionary strategy for the promotion of agriculture and socio-economic uplift of farming community. The farmers have been given rebate on power tariff, while soft-term loans were also being extended to them for the purchase of agri inputs, he added.
The CM said farming community has greatly benefited from the crop insurance scheme. Loans on easy terms were also being given to cattle farmers for the uplift of livestock sector, which could play an important role in poverty alleviation, he added.
"Due to effective economic policies of the government, local and foreign investment in Punjab has increased, resulting in strengthening of its economy."
"Besides, Lake View Housing Project was being launched in Lahore, over an area of 30,000 acres, which would result in provision of better housing facilities to the citizens," he added.
The Deputy High Commissioner said that Britain and Pakistan have strong historical ties and there are bright prospects of mutual trade between the two countries.