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Sheikh Rashid says PM to inaugurate Mother and Child Hospital project on May 10

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to inaugurate Mother and Child Hospital project on May 10, said Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid on Saturday.

While addressing a gathering at railways central Diesel Loco moto workshop, he said that recently the hospital had 14 operation theatres which would be enhanced to 17.

He said the due to negligence of the former rulers, cost of the Leh Expressway project had exceeded to Rs80 billion which was around Rs26 billion when the project was conceived.

He said that the Expressway would start from the Swan Bridge to Peshawar Mor to facilitate maximum population.

Sheikh Rashid said ML-1 from Karachi to Peshawar of 1,700 kilometers long would change the entire look of Pakistan Railways and bring economic revolution in the country.

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With the up-gradation of the track, the minimum speed of trains would be 160 km per hour and Lahore to Karachi route would be covered in less time, he said.

The minister said that Pakistan Railways had earned Rs4 billion than the previous year.

He informed that Pakistan Railway has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pakistan Air Force for the supply of oil.

He said that he would try for upgradation of scales of railway employees and also announce Rs3,000 bonus on Eid.

Regarding the Mother and Child Hospital, Rashid said The Punjab government has allocated Rs400 million for this project and funds have also been released to ensure early completion of the project.

It is worth noting that the health institution would be equipped with all modern facilities. Over 17 operation theatres would be established beside a hostel for working staff. In the year 2005 when work on the project was launched by the then government its cost of construction was estimated Rs3 billion.

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However, the cost in 2019 exceeded and now would be completed at a cost Rs5.25 billion. Work on this project remained shelved since 2005 due to change in governments and because of political affiliations.

However, after being elected once again from Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rashid paid special emphasis on resuming work on this project and got the grant approved for it.

He said that the Mother and Child Care Hospital would be the biggest and best health institution in Rawalpindi District, possessing all kind of health facilities. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2019.