LAHORE   -   The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi called on Punjab Chief Min­ister Ch Parvez Elahi at his office on Thursday and discussed the prospects of bolstering bilateral relations and investment opportunities. During the meeting, it was agreed to start work on Mubarak Center on Ferozepur Road in Lahore soon. “We welcome the Dhabi Group’s investment in Mubarak Center and are deeply grateful to Sheikh Na­hyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of the United Arab Emirates”, the chief minister remarked. The Mubarak cen­ter project also includes a 7-star hotel which will accommodate international players as the Mubarak Center and Gad­dafi Stadium will be linked. The plan will greatly facilitate international play­ers to come and go to Gaddafi Stadium. It will help avoid the traffic jams during the cricket events. 

Parvez Elahi told the UAE ambassa­dor that that he had laid the foundation stone of the Mubarak Center project in his previous tenure. “Unfortunately, the PML-N government stopped this project for the sake of personal ego. Now, the government will speed up work on this avant-garde project that would increase commercial and economic activities. Parvez Elahi said that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoyed brotherly relations. He asked the UAE investors to take advantage of the immense oppor­tunities for investment in Punjab. “The investment companies of the United Arab Emirates will be welcomed here”, he added. The UAE ambassador invited Parvez Elahi to visit the United Arab Emirates and added that the Mubarak Center will further promote coopera­tion between the two countries. The chief minister said the UAE’s coopera­tion in the development of Pakistan was worthy of praise. “We value the coopera­tion of the United Arab Emirates for the improvement of education, health and other sectors. I will visit the United Arab Emirates as soon as possible”, he further said. Also, the CM thanked the UAE lead­ership and ambassador for their sup­port to the flood victims and said that he was grateful for the relief goods. The re­habilitation of flood-hit people is going on and special medical camps have been set up to prevent epidemics; he said and added that the rehabilitation of flood af­fectees is being monitored by him. 

The UAE ambassador said: “Pakistan is our second home. It is our duty to help the flood victims in their hour of difficulty and we are present to help our Pakistani brothers”. Chief Secretary, sec­retary irrigation, secretary finance and others were also present.

FEDERAL OMBUDSMAN VISITS OFFICE OF PROVINCIAL OMBUDSMAN

Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi on Thursday visited the office of Ombudsman Punjab Maj (r) Azam Suleman Khan and discussed matters of mutual interest. On this occasion, Azam Suleman Khan apprised the federal ombudsman about the perfor­mance of the provincial ombudsman office and the steps taken to ensure the protection of the legal rights of the people. He said that proficient use of information technology had created ease for the people seeking relief from government departments.