NAB has right to investigate corruption, says Punjab CM

Claims Punjab government brought healthcare revolution in country

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is a constitutional institution and has the right to investigate corruption.

The statement came amid a spate of criticism of NAB from top Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, who claim the bureau is pursuing a policy of political victimisation.

The Punjab CM said, "We respect and cherish the rule of law. That is why I appeared before NAB," and added, "NAB should also appreciate the good work of the governments. Good officers should be praised for their work, and corruption should be dealt with sternly."

This was not the first time that he had endorsed the mandate of NAB as he had expressed the exact same reviews after the Punjab Government officially condemned the arrest of one of the CM's blue-eyed bureaucrats over a housing scam.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed these views during his visit to Sheihpura, a few hours after his return from London. The CM went for a medical check-up and also visited his sister-in-law Kalsoom Nawaz, who is under treatment for cancer. He also met with the British minister for international development and members of the PML-N's UK chapter.



The CM inaugurated a CT Scan Centre and Hepatitis Filter Clinic at District Headquarters Hospital, Sheikhupura and visited both centres afterwards.  He also visited Bhikki Power Plant and expressed satisfaction over the installation of latest CT scan machine and congratulated the staff while examining various parts of the hepatitis filter clinic.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan briefed him that about 80 patients visit the clinic regularly and are provided with medicine and free treatment.

The chief minister said it is the first time in Pakistan's history that the same high-quality medicines that are used by the rich are being provided to patients at public hospitals. "In these hospitals, the common man is receiving the same medicine that is used by governor, chief minister and other high-ups," he added.

Sharif said that they have been able to supply high-quality medicines to these hospitals due to the hard work they have been doing day-and-night. He added that the Punjab government is installing latest CT scan machines in all districts of the province where patients will have free-of-cost access to the facility. He credited the Punjab Government with initiating a revolution in the health sector and facilities that are being provided to people at their doorsteps.



Shehbaz Sharif said the CT scanners are being installed at all district hospitals and Punjab government has signed an agreement with manufacturers of CT scanners. "Now patients do not have to suffer for a CT scan as no one will give the excuse that the machine is out of order and the patients would not have to pay Rs5,000 for it," and added, "We have buried the old system and made the dream true which was envisioned two years ago."

He lauded that 20 CT scanners have arrived out of which 15 have been installed and rest will be installed soon. Similarly, there are 22 hepatitis filter clinics that are being established at the DHQs hospitals. The filter clinic and children's ward are also set up at Sheikupura Hospital. Shehbaz said that its renovation is going on rapidly and the project is to be completed soon. Physiotherapy has also been arranged in the hospital. He added that this hospital will be like European hospitals and patients here will get quality medical facilities.

"We have taken unprecedented steps in the health sector in the past four and a half years and brought a true revolution in the health sector…26 hospitals at the secondary Level and 15 at primary level have been made and 8 thousand beds have been added to government hospitals," said the CM and added that the mobile hospitals, treatment and diagnostic facilities are given to remote areas at their doorsteps with 20 mobile hospitals functional while another 20 hospitals are coming soon.

The CM said that the 180 operation theatres have been constructed in the hospitals while 452 ventilators have been installed on the bed with 5 MRI machines installed. He added that the four state-of-the-art burn centres are also functional. "Although we have taken concrete steps to improve the health sector, there is still a lot of work to be done," said Sharif.