Daily Times

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari visited Mandi Bahauddin District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) on Sunday and inspected its various sections.

Primary Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan briefed the chief minister about the working of the hospital. The chief minister was told that 1,400 patients visit OPD while emergency entertains 400 other patients every day.

Dr Askari also inspected under-construction building of the hospital. He said that caretaker setup could not announce new projects but provision of funds for on-going projects would be ensured. Provincial minister Syed Zia Haider Rizvi and others were also present on the occasion.

Dr Askari said that election arrangements would be made according to the instructions of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “We will fulfil our constitutional obligations for free and fair elections scheduled for July 25.”

He said that every possible effort would be made for public welfare. He said that the caretaker setup would come up to the expectations of the nation and equal opportunities would be provided to all the political parties.

“Trust of political parties will be restored with our performance. Holding of transparent elections according to constitution is the priority of the caretaker government,” he added.

He said that setting up of hospitals and their up-gradation was in progress and on-going development projects would be completed by providing required funds.

“Establishment of a children hospital and other development schemes for Mandi Bahauddin will be pondered over and efforts will be made to resolve civic issues.

Provincial minister Zia Haider Rizvi said that funds would be provided on priority basis for ongoing schemes of public welfare. Former caretaker chief minister Afzal Hayat and different delegations of the people from different walks of life also called on the caretaker Punjab chief minister.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has strongly condemned the firing on security forces on Saryab Road area of Quetta. The interim chief minister expressed grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of three security officials. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He said that the whole nation was united and would not allow the nefarious designs of the enemy to succeed. The great sacrifices of the martyrs will bear fruit, he added.

Separately, the chief minister Sunday took notice of the murder of bus hostess in Faisalabad and sought a report from the Punjab Police inspector general. He directed authorities concerned to take legal action against the murderer and extended heartfelt sympathies to the grieved family.

Dr Askari also visited Gujranwala on Monday and monitored water drainage arrangements. The chief minister expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of Solid Waste Management Company. He held a meeting with the commissioner and RPO Gujranwala at the Circuit House where provincial minister Zia Haider Rizvi and Ahmad Waqas Riaz were also present.

The chief minister said that cleanliness arrangements water drainage system should be improved. He announced a special grant for improving cleanliness arrangements and to ensure provision of various facilities to the citizens.

Published in Daily Times, June 19^th 2018.