- German delegation praises Punjab’s pediatric oncology standards, Heidelberg, Punjab pledge stronger academic and cultural ties
- Punjab CM announcing ballot results for 9,500 high-power tractors under Phase-II of Green Tractor Program
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said Punjab has become the first province in the region to introduce co-ablation cancer treatment, as she reaffirmed her government’s commitment to strengthening pediatric oncology services with German collaboration.
She made these remarks while meeting a high-level delegation of Germany’s Hope Children’s Cancer Center led by pediatric oncologist and neuro-oncologist Dr. Stefan Michael. The CM noted that the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore—the country’s largest and most modern facility—was in the final stages of completion and would serve as a milestone in Pakistan’s cancer care. She agreed in principle to seek support of German institutions for treating children’s cancer, joint training, and technology transfer.
جرمن ادارے ہوپ چلڈرن کینسر سینٹر کے اعلی وفد کی وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف سے ملاقات۔جرمنی اور پنجاب میں بچوں کے کینسر کے علاج پر تعاون کا اصولی اتفاق۔پنجاب ابلیشن کینسر ٹریٹمنٹ متعارف کرانے والا ریجن کا پہلا صوبہ
لاہور میں نواز شریف کینسر ہسپتال تعمیر کے آخری مراحل میں ,… pic.twitter.com/6SWuHVp7JU— Zeeshan Malik (@ZeshanMalick) September 20, 2025
Dr. Stefan Michael praised Punjab government’s initiatives, calling the high standards of pediatric cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital and Cancer Hospital in Punjab “a remarkable achievement” despite limited resources. He said Hope Children’s Cancer Center was already collaborating with Aga Khan University in Pakistan and expressed confidence that training and knowledge-sharing with German institutions would bring further progress.
The CM welcomed Germany’s advanced technology and support for pediatric oncology, saying joint training with German institutions would produce tangible outcomes. She reiterated that the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital would be a flagship facility for modern cancer treatment in the country.
We would be benefitting from their expertise and experience on molecular testing that helps provide detailed information about the genetic makeup of a tumour resulting in accurate diagnosis of certain cancers. Their expertise is in paediatric oncology. https://t.co/kB7xMmM5VC
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 20, 2025
Heidelberg Lord Mayor Prof. Dr. Eckhart Wurzner thanked the chief minister for her hospitality, describing cooperation between Heidelberg and Punjab as the beginning of a new chapter for both cities. Heidelberg City Council Parliamentary Leader Wasim Butt said efforts were underway to expand educational and cultural ties between Lahore and Heidelberg. The delegation also included experts from Heidelberg University Hospital, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Hope Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ).
In a related development, CM Maryam Nawaz launched Phase-II of the Green Tractor Program by announcing ballot results for 9,500 high-power tractors to be distributed among farmers across the province. The first tractor went to Raja Rafat Abbas, the second to Nuzhat Parveen, and the third to Mian Naseer. The CM personally called Muhammad Ashiq, a farmer from Kasur, to congratulate him on his success in the ballot.
According to Secretary Agriculture, landowners with seven acres or more are eligible to obtain tractors ranging from 75 to 125 horsepower. Under Phase-II, the government is offering subsidies of Rs1 million on high-power tractors and Rs500,000 on medium-power tractors (50–65 horsepower). In total, 20,000 tractors will be provided on subsidy, including 9,500 high-power and 10,000 medium-power machines.
Officials informed the CM that 734,000 farmers had applied under Phase-II of the scheme, of whom 282,000 were declared eligible, while 9,500 were successful in the ballot. They added that 98 percent of applicants opted for locally manufactured tractors, with only 2 percent applying for imported large and modern machines. In response, foreign companies have already established dealerships and business offices in Punjab.
