Top priority: ‘Steps underway to ensure elimination of child labour’

Chief Minister visits Ramazan Bazaar, kiln, DHQ hospital in Kasur

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday visited a Ramazan Bazaar, a brick kiln and the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital in Kasur.

The CM inquired about the facilities being provided to patients at the hospital and inspected the price and quality of products being sold at the Ramazan Bazaar. He also reviewed steps being taken to eliminate child labour from brick kilns.

Sharif travelled on a passenger van to reach the Kasur Railway Station Ramazan Bazaar and asked customers about the standard and quality of the products. “Ramazan Bazaars have been established across the province to facilitate the people during the holy month. The whole government machinery has come into action to facilitate people at Ramazan Bazaars,” the CM said.

He also inspected an agriculture fair price shop at Ramazan Bazaar. The shoppers expressed satisfaction on the quality of products.

Later, the CM visited the Kasur DHQ Hospital. He went to various wards and asked patients about the treatment facilities. He expressed displeasure over non-functioning air-conditioners in general wards. “The government has spent millions of rupees on the installation of air-conditioners at the hospitals. They should be kept operational. Air conditioners in the hospital’s offices are on, but they have been turned off in the wards,” he said. The CM said that public money should not be wasted. He also inspected operation theaters and instructed the staff to improve cleanliness.

The CM announced payment of Rs500,000 to a woman patient under treatment at the hospital. He instructed officials to arrange for free treatment of another elderly patient suffering from liver disease.

Talking to doctors and nurses, the CM said that they should focus on treating patients. On his way back to Lahore, the CM visited a kiln in Aroray. Talking to labourers, the CM said he would not allow child labour at kilns. “Elimination of child labour is the government’s objective. We will leave no stone unturned to achieve this goal,” he said.

He said that Rs1,000 was being given to children who used to work at kilns after they were enrolled at schools. “The crackdown against kiln owners involved in child labour would continue without any discrimination. Schools uniforms, stationary and books are being given to the children who have been enrolled in schools,” he said.

Minister meets CM: Federal Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.

The CM said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was focusing on the country’s development. “Pakistan is back on the road to progress, peace and prosperity,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2016.