20,000 schools to see the light through Ujala Programme

CM also inaugurates 3-day Pakmedica Medical Health Exhibition

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said 20,000 schools will get electricity under the Khadim-e-Punjab Ujala Programme.

These schools were situated in the far-flung areas of the province. The programme was being launched from southern Punjab and 10,000 schools of the region will be converted to solar energy in the first phase. He said the initiative was of vital importance to provide a better educational atmosphere to the future of the nation and therefore work had to be done in a professional manner.



He expressed these views while addressing the meeting through video link at the Civil Secretariat to review progress on the programme of illuminating schools through solar panels under the “Khadim-e-Punjab Ujala Programme”.

In his address, the chief minister said the project was one of its kind and 20,000 schools would be provided electricity through solar panels. He said the Khadim-e-Punjab Ujala programme would be accelerated through commitment and hard work.

The Energy secretary gave a briefing about the progress of the imitative. Provincial Schools Minister Rana Mashhood and CM’s Adviser Dr Umar Saif were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, planning and development chairman, secretaries of departments concerned and senior officials participated in the meeting through video link at the Civil Secretariat, whereas German experts attended the same through Skype.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the three-day Pakmedica Medical Health Exhibition organised in collaboration with the Turkish Government and the provincial health department.

The exhibition, arranged at the Expo Centre, was the reflection of growing cooperation between the two governments.

After the inauguration, the chief minister visited different stalls and took keen interest in medical equipment and machinery displayed at the exhibition. He said that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey was being promoted in different sectors. “It is worthwhile that speedy steps have been taken to improvise on the health sector.”

He said that by hosting the exhibition, Pakistan and Turkey would come closer to each other and bilateral cooperation would be promoted further.

Shehbaz added mutual cooperation was under way between Pakistan and Turkey in different sectors, especially healthcare. The CM announced that the Punjab government had decided to start a motorcycle ambulance service in the province from the beginning of October.



“This ambulance service will start simultaneously from all the nine divisions, including Lahore,” he added. “Turkey has provided worthwhile cooperation for the launch of this programme and it will help deal with any emergency situation,” he said. Through this service, timely first-aid would be provided to patients. The staff of the motorcycle ambulance service would be highly trained and carry all necessary equipment with them.” He added such a programme was being launched for the first time in any of the provinces.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2017.