Public health: Transplant institute delay irks CM

Shahbaz Sharif says he will chair Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute steering committee meetings from now onwards

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday reprimanded authorities concerned over delay in the establishment of a Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute in the city.

He observed that there was no apparent reason for delay in the project. The Health Department was asked to proceed with the project in a professional manner.

The chief minister said that he would himself chair all future meetings of the project’s steering committee. The meetings should be held every week, he said.

“It is a public welfare project. Delay in its implementation cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Strict security measures sought for education institutes

At a meeting to review law and order situation, Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure strict implementation of security protocols specified for education institutes. He said no compromise would be made on provision of security measures to educational institutes.

He said effective coordination among departments concerned and education institutes should be ensured for the implementation of the security plan. The Cabinet Committee on Law and Order was asked to regularly review security arrangements. “The government should protect life and property of the citizens,” he said.

Sharif said third party audits would regularly be conducted to ensure effective implementation of the security plan.

Earlier, he was briefed on law and order situation in the province.

Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal and Punjab Assembly Member Jahangir Khanzada were also present on the occasion.

‘Coal-based power plant to be completed by 2017’

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.

Among other topics, they discussed progress on implementation of projects identified under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Sharif said work on CPEC projects in the province was underway at a rapid pace. Construction of a 1,320 megawatts coal-based power plant in Sahiwal would be completed by the end of 2017.  “Chinese government has expressed its confidence in Nawaz Sharif’s leadership by pledging to invest $46 billion in the country,” he said. “A new era of progress and prosperity will unfold in the country once the CPEC projects become operational,” he said. Sharif stressed the need for collective efforts to fully benefit from the CPEC projects. “Funds coming to the country for the CPEC projects will be spent in a transparent manner. All projects will be completed ahead of the deadlines set for them,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th,  2016.