LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Punjab will benefit from Japan’s expertise in curbing environmental pollution, improving waste management and developing modern cities on advanced lines, according to a handout issued by the Information Department here on Monday.
During her five-day official visit to Japan, the chief minister and her delegation held meetings in Yokohama, Japan’s commercial, cultural and industrial hub. At Yokohama Town Hall, she was given a detailed briefing on urban development and modern systems of city management. She discussed ways to bring the construction quality of roads and buildings in Punjab at par with Japan, and reviewed possibilities of cooperation between Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Yokohama. She also explored prospects of introducing high-speed train services between Lahore and Islamabad, upgrading the railway network, and benefiting from Japanese technology in chairlift and air cabin projects.
Maryam Nawaz also visited Japan’s largest wastewater treatment plants in Asahi, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Washimaku and Yodogawa, where she was briefed on advanced waste separation, recycling and energy-generation systems. She said Punjab would adopt Japanese models of sewage and waste management, noting that Yokohama’s ability to meet the highest environmental standards despite being an industrial city was an example worth replicating.
On the first day of her visit, the chief minister toured the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, now known as Newport Pier Bonded Warehouse. She observed community welfare activities, interacted with children engaged in creative skills training, and praised the administration’s efforts. She said Punjab was also working to promote modern education, skill development and community welfare for children. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb accompanied her during the visit.
Separately, Maryam Nawaz visited the Port of Yokohama where she reviewed port operations and urban development models. She briefed Japanese officials about the work of RUDA and invited Yokohama Urban Development Authority to visit Lahore. She said Lahore and other major cities of Punjab would be developed on the model of Yokohama, ensuring industrial growth while protecting the environment. The Yokohama team accepted her invitation to visit Lahore.
