Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday expressed annoyance over the slow pace of work at under-construction Nishtar-II Hospital during his visit.
He directed the authorities concerned to ensure early completion of the Hospital within the stipulated time period. He warned that action would be taken against the official responsible for the delay in the construction of the Hospital. He also instructed the officials to make a work plan progress report and submit it to the CM office on a daily basis. He directed Commissioner Multan Aamir Khattak to take strict action against the officials without any discrimination. Work should be done in three shifts, he added. The construction of Nishtar-II will surely help reduce patients’ burden on Nishtar Hospital.
Commissioner Multan Aamir Khattak briefed the Caretaker CM Punjab about the issuance and utilization of funds. He informed that Rs 9.45 billion had been released for the project. However, Rs 6.12 billion has been spent so far. The hospital is being constructed on Rs 58 acres. There are a total of 500 beds, introduced initially, he told. On this occasion, provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Dr Javed Akram, provincial Minister for Information Aamir Mir and many others were also present.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi visited Shah Rukn Alam Colony, the residence of Samiullah, and Mohammad Usman’s Mohalla Dogran, who died in police firing in Multan, and expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased youths.
Mohsin Naqvi announced financial assistance for both families and government jobs for the brothers of the dead youth. He added that the police will also provide financial assistance from its own resources.
It’s a murder and the accused persons will get exemplary punishment. One accused has been arrested and IG Punjab has been directed to arrest the other two accused within the next 72 hours; he said and added that the accused persons will be dismissed and prosecuted for slaying.
Mohsin Naqvi directed to provide the best medical facilities to the injured Muhammad Irfan and assured to provide justice to the bereaved families at any cost. The policemen, who have committed this atrocity, will be brought to justice. I can’t bring back your loved ones but the Punjab government will go to the extreme to get you justice; he stated and concluded that the government was an equal participant in their grief. Information Minister Amir Mir said that it should be ensured that no pressure is put on the families of the deceased youths.
Additional IG (South Punjab) said that the constable has been arrested and raids were conducted to arrest other accused persons. Provincial Minister Dr Javed Akram, commissioner Multan, CPO Multan, deputy commissioner and DPO were also present.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi paid a visit to ‘Aafiat,’ a Social Welfare Department’s old age home, located in Township area of Lahore, to extend Eid greetings to senior citizens residing there.
He asked them about their well-being, their problems, and the facilities being provided to them, said a handout issued here on Tuesday. He checked the dining room facility and ordered fumigation of the living rooms.
He called for registration of inhabitants under the Benazir Income Support Programme, along with their regular medical check-ups.
The elderly residents expressed their satisfaction with the quality of meals and facilities being provided to them.
The caretaker CM directed Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir and DGPR Punjab Rubina Afzal to address the concerns of former Nawa-i-Waqt columnist Athar Zamir, who is also living at Aafiat.
Provincial Minister Azfar Ali Nasir, Lahore deputy commissioner and Social Welfare Department officials were also present.
Also, the chief minister visited the Children’s Hospital and inspected the treatment facilities being provided there.
He interacted with the parents to gauge their opinion of the medical facilities and directed the doctors to provide the best possible treatment to the children patients.
The CM showed compassion towards a grieving family and inquired about the unfortunate incident that had led to the death of Kinza Fatima, a young girl who was poisoned by a close relative. The family members requested a postmortem, and the CM promptly ordered one while assuring them of justice.
During his visit, Mohsin Naqvi praised the doctors for their dedication and commitment to treating a large number of child patients in the wards.
The chief minister also took the time to listen to the problems faced by people waiting in the lobby. He assured them that the hospital was working to extend emergency services and add new beds to accommodate the increasing number of patients. He stressed the importance of providing quality treatment facilities to children as they were the bright future of the country. Information Minister Amir Mir was also present.
