CM says Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) is the answer to ‘rich aristocrats’
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif while speaking to reporters on Saturday said that PTI has increased problems for the people of Punjab and Imran Khan is solely responsible for the delay in the Orange Line project.
In reply to a question, CM Shehbaz Sharif said that higher courts have given stay orders on the project of Orange Line and that he is bound to respect the law.
“We have respected the law in the past and we will do so in the future. When Aristotle was asked why he drank poison he replied that he did so because he respects the law. We also have to respect the law. Petitioners of PTI have created hurdles in the way of this mega public welfare project and the people are facing problems due to their petitions”.
He stated that the petitioners of PTI have to be answerable to the court of Allah Almighty, the court of people and superior courts of the county. The CM said that this mega project of public welfare is being opposed by those who travel in big vehicles and their children who are studying in costly schools. He said these people do not wish that labourers, poor, widows, orphans, and workers travel in good vehicles.
He observed that it was only these people who are responsible for the delay in projects of public welfare of the poor and they have to give an answer. He added that politics of sit-ins has pushed us back but we will not be distracted by the politics of sit-ins.
“The opponents will keep impeding projects of public welfare, but we will complete these projects and continue our journey of public service,” he said.
Shehbaz said that in 2012-13 Tahir ul Qadri had started sit-ins and now, unfortunately, they have started again but we are not afraid of sit-ins. He said that those who had held sit-ins and did politics of lockdowns did not suffer any shortage of resources and that they get medical treatment from foreign countries while a poor man dies miserably without getting medical assistance.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting with the chief minister held at the site for the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) in which a briefing was given on the first construction phase of the hospital. He inspected under-construction dialysis centre, pharmacy, outdoor, radiology, and other sections.
The landscaping and horticulture plan was also presented at the meeting. Addressing the meeting, CM Shehbaz Sharif said that this is a unique project of Pakistan and we will follow this model in the future. Directing formation of a high-level committee to review all aspects of the project, the chief minister said that this committee should make a roadmap for the future.
He said: “This model is a way forward to improve the healthcare system and the whole team is working in an efficient manner. I am happy to see progress on the project and the first phase of the project will start by December 25”.
He further said that he will make regular visits to review the progress and directed to review arrangements for a day-care centre and playing area.
The CM expressed his satisfaction over the first part of the project and said that in the first phase an excellent parking area will be provided to the patients and their attendants; special attention is being paid on the landscaping of the project. He added that all construction work should be completed on time and there shouldn’t be any compromise on the quality.
Speaking about the rest of the construction he sais that the ceiling of roofs will be completed soon and all work will be of excellent quality.
He also held a meeting with the nursing staff recruited for the hospital and asked them to serve humanity with dedication and determination because their job is to provide comfort to people.
The chief minister said that this hospital is being constructed under a new system and modern facilities will be provided to patients with liver and kidney problems. He asked the nursing staff to talk politely with a smile to the patients, and treat them carefully because a polite attitude is half the cure for patients.
Talking to reporters during the visit to the hospital, the chief minister said that extraordinary hard work has been done during the construction and this hospital will be a milestone for the treatment of liver and kidney patients. He said that the aristocracy of the country enjoys the best and modern health facilities while unfortunately a big population of the country is deprived of basic health facilities. When a member of the aristocratic class is ill he gets the latest medical aid while poor people die because of not getting medicines.
“This is a disparity which we want to end. The difference between the poor and rich should be eliminated for the welfare of the country and we have to end the difference between these two to make Pakistan a country of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal”.
He said that a modern hospital like PKLI is a big step towards this object and the PML-N wants to expand this model the to whole province. He also said that the administration of the hospital has promised that this hospital will be at par with renowned institutions of US Johns Hopkins and that such hospital will not be in the whole of South Asia.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, the chief secretary, health secretary, president of the board of governors of the hospital, Dr Saeed Akhtar and other concerned officials attended the meeting.