Punjab seeks to benefit from Xinjiang’s experience in corporate farming

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday had a meeting with Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, livestock and other sectors.

Chen Xiaojiang warmly welcomed the chief minister, who thanked him for the warm reception. The meeting was also attended by CPC Xinjiang Uygur Deputy Secretary He Zhongyu, Head of the Publicity Department Wang Jinzhen, Executive Vice Governor of Xinjiang Uygur Zhang Yingchen and Provincial Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Li Qiyong.

The two sides agreed to promote partnership in agriculture, irrigation and livestock sectors. They also agreed on adopting advanced aerial vehicles, modern water levelling techniques and digital crop monitoring systems to promote agriculture.

The meeting held detailed discussions on prospects for cooperation in agricultural irrigation, mechanisation and livestock. Maryam offered Chinese authorities cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, water-efficient irrigation and livestock development.

The two sides also agreed on the use of tested Chinese seeds to improve agricultural productivity. The meeting stressed the need to promote exchanges of delegations between Punjab and China and strengthen people-to-people contacts.

Discussions also covered development, regional stability and enhanced cooperation in line with China’s international strategy.

She said Punjab was Pakistan’s largest province in terms of agricultural production and played a key role in meeting the country’s requirements for wheat, maize, sugarcane and rice.

“Punjab wants to benefit from Xinjiang’s experience in corporate farming,” she said.

The chief minister said the Punjab government wanted to further expand cooperation with China in agriculture, industry, minerals and new technologies.

CM’s United States visit

US Consul General in Lahore Stetson Sanders called on Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser on AI and Special Initiatives Ali Dar on Tuesday and discussed preparations and prospects linked to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to the United States.

During the meeting, Ali Dar said the chief minister’s visit would open new avenues for bilateral cooperation and partnership between Punjab and the United States, particularly in the areas of investment, technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and economic collaboration. He said the visit would serve as an important milestone in attracting investment and advanced technological expertise to Punjab and strengthening cooperation in emerging sectors.

Ali Dar said international partnerships were a key component of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision to transform Punjab into a global hub for artificial intelligence. He added that enhanced cooperation with the United States could create new opportunities for bringing world-class technology, innovation and investment to the province. “Artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are an important part of Punjab’s future, and we will further strengthen cooperation with the United States in these fields,” he said.