LAHORE: On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inquired after the health of burn patients of Ahmedpur East tragedy at Bahawal Victoria Hospital along with the Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The PM and CM Punjab presented cheques worth Rs.10 lakh each to the injured of Ahmedpur East tragedy and their heirs.
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif consoled the injured and inquired about their health. He directed the hospital administration to utilise all resources for the best treatment of the injured. They appreciated the efforts of the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff for treating the injured with dedication.
Later, both met with the heirs of the dead persons at Basti Ramzan Joya in Ahmedpur East and extended their heartfelt sympathies to them. They also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls. While talking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that the whole nation is saddened over the Ahmedpur East tragedy and every heart grieved; adding that he has no words to express his sympathies over this tragic incident.
The forensic lab is scientifically working to identify the dead and forensic teams are also engaged at the spot of the incident, he said. The Punjab government departments have made collective efforts and taken different steps to heal the wounds of the affected in a commendable way. Similarly, helicopters of Pak Army and that of the Punjab government have taken part in the rescue operation to transfer the injured to different hospitals. One helicopter of the CM and three Army helicopters took part in this operation, he added.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has put over his medical treatment in London and returned back home to directly supervise the matters pertaining to Ahmedpur East tragedy. “He has directed me to stay in Bahawalpur to monitor the different matters and report to him. Upon this, I have spent the night in Bahawalpur,” he added.
He said that arrival of the PM to Ahmedpur East is a ray of hope for every affected family and he equally shares the grief and pain of the bereaved people. He said that the persons burnt in the incident have been given best treatment in a state-of-the-art burn unit in Multan and vowed that no stone will be left unturned for their complete treatment.
Shehbaz Sharif further said that Ahmedpur East tragedy is a logical outcome of corruption and illiteracy spanning over 70 years. Had the farmers of Ahmedpur East been not so poor and illiterate, they would not have lost their lives in an attempt to siphon off some quantity of oil, he added, while refraining from further talking politics at a tragic moment.
He expressed the satisfaction over the rescue services rendered by rescue 1122, district administration, police, Pak Army, health and other departments. He added that joint collaboration of public sector institutions and political leadership has helped to successfully complete the rescue operation as local administration, medical staff and elected leadership have made collective efforts.
He said he would personally supervise the availability of treatment facilities and announced that he would come back to meet the heirs again.