Get old and used tyres out of the city, Shahbaz orders

The Punjab government on Thursday imposed a ban for one month on transportation of old and used tyres from Lahore under Section 144.
The step was taken to check the possible spread of dengue to other cities of the province. The decision was in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to review measures against dengue. Addressing the meeting, the CM said that warehouses of used imported tyres and tyres stored at open places were a major source of growth of dengue, therefore, process of fogging and spray at warehouses of godowns of tyres, bus stands and other places had been accelerated. He said that there were more than 3,000 warehouses and shops of tyres in the city, which were resulting in spread of the dengue larvae.
Shahbaz directed officials that along with fogging at warehouses and shops of used and imported tyres, a plan be evolved in the next phase for their shifting from the city. He directed officers that the ban on transportation of old tyres be strictly implemented adding that machinery and medicines of WHO standard were imported by air so that best treatment facilities could be extended to dengue patients without any loss of time. Shahbaz said that the Indonesian medical team was extending full medical assistance for controlling dengue virus and treatment of patients in hospitals. He directed officers that arrangement be made for special training of spray men especially in houses with cooperation of the Indonesian technical team so that the process of fogging and spray could be carried out in an effective manner.
The CM directed officers that measures taken by the Solid Waste Management and WASA for disposal of heaps of garbage and stagnant water from the city should also be monitored. Head of the Indonesian technical team Dr Rita said that her team was visiting various hospitals and also arranged training of nurses. She said that during visit to various hospitals, it was noticed that the number of dengue patients was gradually decreasing. Rita said that the first consignment of equipment and medicines from Indonesia had reached while the second consignment will arrive today (Friday).