Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that it is the duty of every citizen to look the enemy in the eye and make decisions in favor of the nation.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony for the distribution of laptops to students under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme at King Edward Medical University as the chief guest on Saturday.
Laptops were distributed among 259 talented students of the university. The minister said it was a great honor and pleasure for him to participate in the distribution ceremony at this historic institution, which has produced generations of doctors and medical experts who have served not only Punjab but the entire country with dedication and professional excellence.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for his visionary initiative of providing laptops to students across the country. Recalling past public health challenges, he said that during 2011, under Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, they had the opportunity to work on controlling dengue.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Pakistan’s success is not acceptable to some hostile forces and emphasized the need for unity and hard work for national progress. He noted that Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees for decades and stressed the importance of strengthening the country through collective efforts. He added that the laptop scheme reflects a firm commitment to education and youth empowerment, noting that access to technology has become indispensable for academic success in the modern digital world. The initiative, he said, promotes merit, transparency, and investment in future leadership.
Highlighting developments in the health sector, the minister said the Punjab government has launched major historic programs including pediatric heart surgery, kidney and liver transplants, bone marrow transplants, cochlear and cornea transplants, cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, stroke care, and neurology services for both children and adults. Hospitals across Punjab are being upgraded to provide improved dialysis and stroke treatment facilities.
He further said that a modern cancer hospital is being constructed in Lahore, while new children’s hospitals are being built in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur. Cardiac institutes are being expanded in multiple cities and burn units have been established in various regions.
The minister also announced the development of a comprehensive “Nawaz Sharif Medical District” in Lahore, which will include Children’s Hospital II, the Institute of Pediatric and Adult Genetic Blood Diseases, the Institute of Special Orthopaedics, a Medical Rehabilitation Centre, and a Centre of Excellence for Nursing Education.
He stated that the Punjab government has initiated a revamping project for Mayo Hospital Lahore costing about four billion rupees. The project includes extensive upgradation, construction of new floors, and clearance of outstanding dues. On the directions of the Chief Minister, long-pending renovation work of wards and the AVH department will also begin soon to improve service quality and operational efficiency.
Vice Chancellor KEMU Professor Mahmood Ayaz welcomed the laptop distribution initiative, calling it a positive step for students of the historic institution.
Coordinator Prime Minister Youth Program Fahad Shahbaz said that the Prime Minister is providing the best development opportunities to the youth of Pakistan. He remarked that the laptop would not merely be a gadget but a milestone on the path of progress.
The ceremony was attended by Coordinator Prime Minister Youth Program Fahad Shahbaz, Vice Chancellor Professor Mahmood Ayaz, senior faculty members, and a large number of students. Among others present were Professor Muhammad Moin (Pro Vice Chancellor KEMU), Professor Asghar Naqi, Professor Abrar Ashraf, Professor Tehreem Fatima, Professor Faiza Bashir, Professor Shoaib Nabi, Rizwan Anwar, Asfandyar Nasir (Members of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council), and Maha Jamil, Special Representative of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique inaugurated a new tube-well in Guldasht Town, Lahore, on Saturday, providing a major relief to local residents facing water shortages.
Thousands of people in the area will benefit from the project, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 50 million. The tube well will ensure a clean and abundant supply of water to households in Guldasht Town.
Residents of the area warmly welcomed the provincial minister and described the project as a long-standing and urgent need of the locality.
Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that providing basic facilities to the public is the top priority of the Punjab government. He emphasized that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right of every citizen and that the government is utilizing all available resources to ensure its provision.
He said the Guldasht Town tube well project would prove highly beneficial for local residents and assured that more public welfare projects would be launched in the future. He added that, in line with the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, the journey of development and prosperity will continue.
The minister said that the PML-N government has always prioritized public service after coming to power. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the country is moving forward on the path of progress and development.
President WASCO Muhammad Waheed Gul, General Secretary Muhammad Asghar Javed, Tariq Awan, Nasrullah Khan, Chaudhry Ashraf, Malik Ghulam Sikandar Awan, Maqsood Ahmed Gujar, Hafiz Khalil, Abdul Wahab and a large number of workers attended the inauguration ceremony. XEN WASA Salman and other officials were also present on the occasion.