LAHORE, Sep 26 (APP):Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday held a meeting with World Food Program (WFP) Country Director Anita Hersch and discussed cooperation in nutrition,agriculture,environmental protection and public welfare. The senior minister briefed the WFP delegation on various reforms and initiatives of the Punjab government, particularly measures being taken to improve nutrition among schoolchildren. She said Chief Minister(CM) Punjab,Maryam Nawaz Sharif had launched the School Nutrition Program in …
Marriyum Aurangzeb briefs WFP delegation on Punjab reforms
LAHORE, Sep 26 (APP):Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday held a meeting with World Food Program (WFP) Country Director Anita Hersch and discussed cooperation in nutrition,agriculture,environmental protection and public welfare.
The senior minister briefed the WFP delegation on various reforms and initiatives of the Punjab government, particularly measures being taken to improve nutrition among schoolchildren.
She said Chief Minister(CM) Punjab,Maryam Nawaz Sharif had launched the School Nutrition Program in 13 districts of the province,including Bahawalnagar,Bhakkar,Chiniot,Dera Ghazi Khan,Kot Addu,Layyah,Lodhran, Mianwali,Muzaffargarh,Rahim Yar Khan,Rajanpur,Taunsa and Vehari.
More than 56,000 children had been enrolled in schools covered by the program,while enrollment was continuing to increase,she added.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the program had contributed to improvement in children’s nutrition and was being personally monitored by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
She said the Punjab government’s vision was to ensure healthy and nutritious growth of children.
The WFP delegation appreciated the provincial government’s initiatives under the Chief Minister(CM) Punjab Nutrition Program.
Briefing the delegation on anti-smog measures,the senior minister said the chief minister had introduced a comprehensive smog control program in the province and revolutionary measures had been taken during the last two years under short,medium and long-term plans.
She said action was being taken against industrial emissions,vehicle pollution,crop residue burning and brick kilns while heavy vehicles and other vehicles were being tested to control emissions.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said industries and brick kilns across Punjab were being digitally monitored through the Climate Monitoring Watch while the Punjab Safe Cities Authority was also monitoring vehicles contributing to smog.
She said the chief minister’s agricultural mechanization vision had resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in crop residue burning during the previous year.
The WFP country director appreciated the Punjab government’s measures to control smog and improve environmental conditions.
The senior minister said all welfare programs under the chief minister’s vision were being implemented through an integrated government system while a strong coordination mechanism had been established at the district level through deputy commissioners’ offices.
She said the Punjab government was ready to share its achievements,lessons and challenges with all stakeholders.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said 64 per cent of the population was using social media and the government would utilize local communication channels and social media for effective public awareness.
She said health-related messages would be translated into local languages and delivered to people at the grassroots level.
Under the chief minister’s vision, information in local languages would also be provided at every health center, basic health unit and clinic.
The senior minister said the Punjab government was ready for partnership with the WFP in the areas of localization and agriculture.
