ISLAMABAD
Pakistan and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation in agricultural machinery manufacturing, technical collaboration and phased localization initiatives during a high-level Pakistani delegation’s visit to Jiangsu, China.
According to an official statement from National Food Security and Research, the MoU was signed between a Pakistani private sector company, Kingsbridge Ventures and China’s Changfa Group, a leading manufacturer of tractors, harvesters, diesel engines and other agricultural machinery, as both countries moved to deepen cooperation in agricultural mechanization and modern farming technologies.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan held talks with Chinese companies on joint ventures, technology transfer and local assembly of agricultural machinery in Pakistan, according to a Gwadar Pro’s report.
As per the statement of the ministry, discussions focused on providing Pakistani farmers with affordable and modern farming equipment while promoting mechanized agriculture and boosting productivity. The Pakistani delegation also visited Star Charge Group to discuss the use of smart energy technologies for agricultural infrastructure and rural development projects.
During a separate meeting with Changzhou Mayor Zhou Wei and senior officials, both sides discussed agricultural innovation, technology-driven development and investment opportunities. Rana Tanveer Hussain said “modern agricultural machinery was essential for increasing productivity, reducing costs and ensuring sustainable food security in Pakistan”.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said “cooperation with Chinese companies would help strengthen local manufacturing capacity and support long-term economic growth through modern technologies”. Travis Head and his wife Jessica have been subjected to a barrage of online abuse after the Australian cricketer was embroiled in a spat with India great Virat Kohli during an IPL match.
The players clashed during the T20 match between Head’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday. Heated words were exchanged between the two before Kohli was dismissed for 15 and his team slumped to a 55-run defeat. As the two sets of players lined up for the post-game handshakes, Kohli ignored Head’s outstretched arm but shook hands with the other players.
The Instagram accounts for Head and Jessica have since been flooded with abusive comments, apparently from fans of the former India captain. Jessica told The Advertiser newspaper that her friends and family had also received hateful private messages. “I woke up to my socials blasting… we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family,” she said Monday, according to the reports.
“Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game. “Hopefully this encourages more kindness, and support for one another.” She also said it felt like “a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup”, referring to the 2023 50-over tournament when Australia beat hosts India in the final in Ahmedabad.
