Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday inaugurated the Insaf Imdad Programme during his visit to Nankana district, where he also inspected the aid distribution in Government MC Girls School on Monday. The aid recipients expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements while talking to him.
Talking to them, the CM told that Rs12000 each will be given to 25 lac needy families. He reemphasised that no one can challenge the immaculate transparency of this Programme which is solely meant for the needy families. The Punjab government will not leave the impoverished families, affected due to the lockdown, alone, he stressed. The government is selflessly serving the people while rising above petty politics as there is enough time for it, he continued and added that those who are busy in politicizing the coronavirus pandemic have disappointed the people.
Usman Buzdar also inspected the 100-bed corona field hospital set up in a gymnasium. He told that field hospitals have also been set up in Sangla Hill and Shah Kot, each having 30-beds capacity. Four ventilators are also provided and anti-coronavirus activities are being directly supervised by me, the CM added. He also appreciated the work done by DC Nankana Sahib and his team to counter the onslaught of coronavirus and directed them to work with more zeal. The CM told that reopening of specific businesses and shops has been allowed from Monday, along with more industrial units, and these businesses will have to follow government devised SOPs. Legal action will be initiated in case of SOPs’ violation, he warned.
The CM expressed displeasure over the dilapidated conditions of roads during his inspection of the city and directed to complete the remaining construction work of Syedwala road within 15 days adding that no leniency will be tolerated because timely completion of development projects is essential. Provincial Ministers Mian Khalid Mehmood, Asad Khokhar, Taimoor Bhatti, assembly members, PTI’s general secretary and district president, SMBR, ACS (Urbanization), Commissioner Lahore and RPO Sheikhupura were also present on this occasion.
Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar paid tributes to the services of Maj Muhammad Asghar who lost his life due to coronavirus. In a condolence message, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs and said that Maj. Asghar has embraced martyrdom while performing his duties. The nation salutes him and his services will always be remembered, he added. The nation will not forget the great sacrifices rendered by Maj. Muhammad Asghar, doctors and others in the fight against coronavirus, he concluded.
Usman Buzdar also received the special PIA flight carrying Rs 100 million worth of personal protection equipment (PPEs) at Lahore airport on Monday. The material has been donated by Chinese provinces Shandong, Jiangsu and Ningxia to help fight the coronavirus pandemic in Punjab.
Talking on this occasion, the CM said that this donation shows strong Pakistan-China brotherly relations adding that China has always helped the Pakistani nation in every hour of trial. We are thankful to the Chinese government for sending PPEs as Pakistan-China friendship is intertwined through the bond of immortal relations, he said. The material given by China includes protective suits, N-95 and surgical masks, gloves and disposable medical protectors for medical professionals and janitorial staff engaged in the battle against coronavirus. He told that eight BSL-III labs are functional besides issuance of notification of home isolation and coronavirus patients with minor symptoms are allowed home isolation. He told that SOPs are formulated under the guidance of WHO and they will be get implemented. The purpose of easing lockdown is to restore economic activities and to provide employment opportunities to daily- wagers. I appeal to the people to follow SOPs and pay tributes to medical staff engaged in the treatment of coronavirus patients, the CM added. Chinese consul General Long Dingbing said that Pakistan is a trustworthy friend of China adding that helping the Pakistani brethren in an hour of trial is their duty. Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Chief Secretary, ACS (Urbanization) and health secretaries were also present on this occasion.