Imran is the reason for OLMT delay, says Shehbaz

CM says even four years on, not a brick has been laid for PTI’s Peshawar metro project

LAHORE: Continuing his diatribe against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his political rival is the reason behind the delay in the Orange Line Metro Project.

The chief minister said that Imran first bashed the Punjab government for introducing metro bus project. “Later, he had to face embarrassment after announcing a metro bus for Peshawar.” He added that despite the passage of four years, not a brick has been laid for the Peshawar metro project.



Shehbaz said the Punjab government would complete mega projects other than the Orange Line Project which had been brought to a halt through court stays obtained by the PTI chief.

Presenting you the test run of 1st Orange Line train on our own tracks.. Hope it will become fully operational soon to serve our people IA! pic.twitter.com/IruGhu1sn0

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 8, 2017

Replying to another question, he said that the Punjab government would take its projects in the next election. “Nothing succeeds like success,” he added. About the uproar against the IB investigation controversy, he said that the report was fake and that should sum up the entire controversy.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has purchased 60 ultasound machines with an aim to train lady health workers at a training centre being set up in Sheikhupura.

The objective of training health workers is to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates in the province, said Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He was speaking at an agreement signing ceremony held between General Electric (GE), their local partner Ferozsons and the Punjab government to establish a training centre for lady health workers.

The chief minister said 700 more of these portable ultrasound machines would be procured by February 2018.

Sharing details of the agreement, Shehbaz said that lady workers would be trained to operate a new ultrasound machine. He added they would be able to take these machines to the remote areas of the province for checkups.



Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan said two types of training would be provided at the training centres - one for master trainers and second for lady health workers. He added that the master trainers would spread out to 36 districts and give training to lady health workers. Khan said it was a portable and cost-effective solution for ultrasounds. “No technician would be required to operate this machine. Many females, who are reluctant to visit hospitals for such checkups, will benefit greatly from this project.”

Another meeting was held earlier on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting discussed extending mutual cooperation between Punjab government and UK’s DFID and Public Health to strengthen the ongoing reforms programme of health sector.

The British delegation was led by Chief of Basic Services Group of the DFID Dr Ruth Lawson.

Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz said that a comprehensive programme has been started to provide quality healthcare facilities to the people. A special attention is being paid to enhance and improve the capacity of the health sector institutions.

The chief minister said the Public Health Agency has been established and the role of this new institution was important to provide prior information about the spread of different diseases along with devising a comprehensive system for their treatment and eradication.

He said that DFID is providing support to the Punjab government in education, healthcare and skill development. The Punjab government would welcome the technical assistance of the DFID to make the Punjab Public Health Agency commensurate with the latest needs and trends. “We don’t require resources, rather we need expertise and skills and further improvements will be brought in the health sector through technical assistance of DFID and Public Health team of the UK.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2017.