LAHORE: Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren called on Chief Minister Parvez Elahi here on Thursday and extended a message of good wishes on behalf of the Chinese government and the ambassador of China to Pakistan.

He expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the loss of life and property due to floods in Punjab and reiterated the commitment to cooperate for the rehabilitation of the victims. It was further agreed to accelerate the CPEC projects, investment and promotion of bilateral cooperation in education and other sectors.

Mr Shiren announced giving Rs300 million in aid for the rehabilitation of flood victims on behalf of the Chinese consulate general in Lahore.

He announced giving consul general scholarships to the students of Punjab province, adding that assistance would be provided for the improvement and rectification of CCTV cameras of Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In addition, an MoU would also be signed for joint training to expedite the organizational capacity of the Punjab police, he said and assured of cooperation for the development of infrastructure, power plants, education, health and dam projects.

Mr Elahi thanked the Chinese leadership and people for their cooperation to assist the flood victims, while Mr Shiren was quoted as appreciating the public-centric approach of Parvez Elahi and observed that he has shown good performance in a short period.

Mr Elahi appreciated the cooperation extended by China to the flood victims.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said that the continuous struggle of Syed Ali Geelani Shaheed for the freedom of India-held Kashmir cannot be described in words.

In his message on Thursday, he noted that Syed Ali Geelani devoted all his life to the cause of freedom of Indiaheld Kashmir and he valiantly countered Indian state-sponsored atrocities throughout his life. The invaluable role played by Gillani in the freedom struggle is a bright chapter of the Kashmir movement, he added.