LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said her government is promoting e-business across the province and has equipped 400,000 young people with skills over the past year. She added that financial assistance had also been extended to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Punjab Innovation for Value, Opportunity and Transformation in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab, the country’s most populous province, played a significant role in Pakistan’s economy.
She noted that the world was undergoing rapid change, with industries and other sectors adapting to new demands, adding that countries could not progress without keeping pace with these changes.
The chief minister said Punjab’s pharmaceutical industry was expanding and described the country’s young population as a major potential asset.
She stressed that businesses needed a supportive environment and peace of mind, adding that law and order were essential for economic activity. She also said repeated protests and acts of vandalism could disrupt the working environment.
Maryam Nawaz said ensuring a secure environment was a priority for attracting investment. While acknowledging the importance of environmental protection, she argued that factories should be made more environmentally friendly and properly monitored rather than shut down in the name of environmental safeguards.
She said the provincial government was providing technical training to young people and facilitating those seeking overseas employment through the Parwaaz Card initiative. She also stressed that putting children’s lives at risk was unacceptable.
The chief minister further said action was being taken against land-grabbing groups, while encroachments had been removed to widen markets and clear properties occupied for as long as 25 years.
Referring to corruption, she alleged that patwaris and tehsildars were involved in corrupt practices and said cases of corruption had also emerged within the Anti-Corruption Department.
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan had a large young population and a hardworking workforce. She emphasised the need to train young people according to industrial requirements, create a business-friendly environment and expand employment opportunities.