M A I N   N E W S

Pak Punjab CM coming; visit set to boost CBMs
Jangveer Singh/ TNS

Chandigarh, December 11
The Punjab-Punjab connect, set to happen with Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif’s visit, is expected not only to bridge people-to-people ties between the two Punjabs but also the two nations, as the visiting dignitory meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 16.

On the Agenda * Better trade ties across Wagah border * Study collaborations in power, education and agriculture * One-on-one contact between Pak and Indian traders

Pakistan Punjab has a representation of nearly 60 per cent in Pakistan’s parliament and the Sharif family is the most important after the Bhutto clan. It is in this backdrop that the Indian government is reaching out to Sharif during the course of his visit to Punjab. Sharif is visiting Punjab for four days, starting December 14.

Sharif’s visit is set to boost confidence building measures initiated by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal during his visit to Pakistan Punjab last month.

The Punjab Government sees this confidence building exercise as a precursor to better trade ties across the Wagah border.

“We have already laid the groundwork for Punjab-Punjab prosperity and growth,” says Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia. He says the government wants to use this strength to ensure people-people growth between the two countries.

Majithia says besides attending the closing ceremony of the ongoing World Cup Kabaddi tournament, Sharif will concentrate on three fields during his visit.