LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the credit for initiating development and progress in Southern Punjab went to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. He was talking to Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari, who called on the Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including ongoing development projects in the southern Punjab along with provision of facilities to the people came under discussion. Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said that credit went to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that it had allocated more funds for the southern Punjab as compared to its population. The development and prosperity of the southern Punjab is among the top priorities of the PML-N government, he said. He pointed out that Metro and Speedo buses were providing comfortable travelling facilities to passengers in Multan every day. Meanwhile, the project of provision of clean drinking water to the people of southern Punjab is another unique initiative of the Punjab government, he said. “Similarly, construction of thousands of kilometer long roads in the rural areas under Pakkiyan Sarkan-Sukhay Panday programme has improved access of farmers to markets. The farming community has greatly benefited from Kissan Package of worth Rs 100 billion and the agri-production has been increased many more.” “On the other side, the elements talking about the backwardness of southern Punjab have never given any attention to the solution of problems of the people in their tenure. The Punjab government has provided resources worth billions of rupees for the development and prosperity of the southern Punjab. The PML-N government shall provide many more delights to the people living there,” he said. The chief minister said that he had been personally supervising the progress on the development programmes aimed at bringing prosperity in southern Punjab districts adding that the responsibility had been fulfilled in the past and would continue to do so in future as well. Federal Minister Awais Leghari said that PML-N government has won the hearts of the people by giving historic budget for the welfare of the people of southern Punjab. PKLI: Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) on Monday. He went to various sections of the OPD, inquired after the health of the patients and talked with doctors and other staff. He also inspected pharmacy and checked the process of provision of medicines to the patients. While expressing their satisfaction over the provision of wonderful medical facilitates, various patients said that a superb medical institution had been developed for serving the ailing humanity. The doctors and other staff members said the credit of developing this state-of-the-art institution goes to the Punjab chief minister. Talking on the occasion, the chief minister expressed the satisfaction that the hospital had become a role model institution and he has been feeling happy to visit it. “I am satisfied to observe the provision of best healthcare facilities along with excellent arrangements for the patients and added that this hospital would prove as a game-changer initiative in the health sector. The poor patients suffering from liver and kidney diseases are being treated free of cost and I shall continue to regularly visit this hospital to remain fully abreast of the medical facilities being provided here,” he added. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was held at the PKLI. Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the construction work and installation of medical equipments during the second phase. The chief minister directed to expedite the work on second phase to operationalize it by March 23. He said that work should be continued on this project with dedication and vigor and no stone should be left unturned to complete the project well in time. He said that process of transplantation of kidney and liver should be started in this hospital on March 23. He said that patients should not face any difficulty with regard to their treatment during the first phase of the hospital which had already been completed. Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, the chief secretary, PKLI Chairman Dr Saeed Akhter and others attended the meeting. Published in Daily Times, January 9th 2017.