Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today laid emphasis on strengthening of mutual ties between Medical fraternity of India and Pakistan to benefit the people of both countries in general and that of the Eastern and Western Punjab in particular, by providing quality health services to them.Taking part in deliberations with a high level delegation of the doctors from Pakistan led by President of SAARC Surgical care Society Dr A Majeed Chaudhary, who called on the Chief Minister at his official residence here today, Badal said that mutual cooperation and support of Medical fraternity in the region was the need of the hour, as it would not only improve the prospects of providing excellent Health care facilities to the people but would also provide the required fillip to boost up people to people contact in the region. He said that it was the need of the hour that eminent people from both the countries including Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Artists and others should come forward for the promotion of love, peace, brotherhood, co-operation and above all communal harmony and friendship through people to people contact between the two countries so that a new chapter of mutual trust and goodwill could be scripted in the Sub-Continent. Dr Chaudhary along with other members of delegation including Prof. Aamer Zaman Khan, Dr PS Bakshi and Dr Abrar Ashraf Ali respectively the Vice President, General Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the society requested Badal to inaugurate their Annual Conference schedule to be held at Jalandhar from September 7th to 9th. Accepting the invitation extended by the delegation, the Chief Minister urged them to ensure that the focus of conference should be to provide the access of modern and quality surgical care and facility to the rural areas of the SAARC countries, particularly that of India and Pakistan. Badal also said that it was indeed a matter of pride for the state that such a mega conference was being organized here in which the surgeons from SAARC countries particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and others would discuss their expertise besides focusing on improving health care facilities in these countries. He also assured the delegation of full co-operation and support from Punjab Government for making this prestigious conference a huge success. Meanwhile Dr A Majeed Chaudhary, Prof. Aamer Zaman Khan and Dr Abrar Ashraf Ali extended the greetings of people of Pakistani Punjab to the Chief Minister and thanked him for accepting the invitation. Badal also reciprocated by sending his warm wishes and greetings to the people of Pakistan, who have always showered lots of love to their Indian brothers. Striking an emotional chord with the delegation, the Chief Minister also recalled his youthful days spent in Lahore while pursuing graduation in a local college there. Badal further said that the vivid memories of college days were afresh in his mind especially about the social and cultural bonds which the people shared at that time. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KJS Cheema.