LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar directed to initiate legal action against those sugar mills that have not started crushing season despite clear instructions from the Punjab government on Wednesday. Necessary instructions have been issued to Food Department’s minister, secretary as well as the cane commissioner in this regard. CM Buzdar said that there is no reason in non-functioning of sugar mills despite accepting their demands. “Those who have not run their sugar mills will be acted against accordingly and no one will be allowed to exploit the sugarcane farmers. Sale of sugarcane on fixed rates will be ensured and sugar mills will be bound to procure sugarcane from the farmers at the rates fixed by the government. Indiscriminate action will be initiated on the complaint of cut in weight,” he said. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government is siding with the farmers’ community; interests of the sugarcane farmers will not be compromised and the farmers will be given the reward of their hard work, the CM concluded. Separately, a delegation of alumni doctors of King Edward Medical University (KEMU) from the United States and the United Kingdom called on Buzdar at his office. Provincial Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid led the delegation. Talking on the occasion, Buzdar said that provision of quality healthcare facilities has been especially focused on by the PTI government and different resources are being used for providing best treatment facilities to the general public. The presence of senior doctors will be ensured in emergency wards of government hospitals while work is going on speedily to upgrade the emergency wards. He disclosed that Punjab government is deliberating upon introducing air ambulance service as it would be proved useful in airlifting the patients of far-flung areas to hospitals well in time. “Your recommendations in this regard would be welcomed as there is a need to give attention to research and development in the medical sector,” he added. It is heartening that Pakistani doctors working in different parts of the world have taken lead in serving the ailing humanity. Their professional competence and abilities are beyond any doubt, he added. Buzdar said that expertise of expatriate doctors will be utilised for bringing improvements in healthcare sector in Pakistan adding that he regularly reviews progress on reforms program of the health sector. Principal Secretary to CM Dr Raheel Siddiqui, Punjab Government Spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill, specialised healthcare & medical education secretary, KEMU Vice Chancellor Khalid Masood Gondal, pro-VC Professor Ijaz Hussain, Dr Naseem Sheikh, Dr Ahmad Hassan, Dr Ayesha Najeeb and Dr Tabinda of KEMU alumni, Dr Zafar Iqbal and Dr Tanzeem Haider of Association of Physicians of Pakistan and senior doctors were present on the occasion. Separately, Buzdar sought a report from Inspector General Police (IGP) about the murder of a nine-year-old girl in Lohari. He ordered to investigate the crime along with the instructions to early arrest the accused for taking legal action. Justice should be ensured to the bereaved heirs at every cost, he added. Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the CM has sought a report about the torture on an elderly woman in Sialkot. The CM has directed to immediately arrest the accused. Buzdar also directed to provide justice to the woman. The spokesman said that action will be initiated against the accused in accordance with the law. Separately, Buzdar took notice of the murder of two children in Feroze Wattwan and has sought a report from the IGP. He has directed to initiate legal action against the criminals involved in it and justice should be provided to the bereaved family. A delegation of Businessmen Panel (BMP) for the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry led by its chairman and former caretaker minister Mian Anjum Nisar called on Buzdar at his office. Talking on the occasion, the CM said that a facilitating environment had been arranged for boosting the investment in the province as industrial growth also catalyses new employment opportunities. “I shall soon start visiting the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other Punjab chambers along with my team and contacts with the businessmen community would be continued,” he added. Published in Daily Times, December 20th 2018.