Punjab medics to join relief work nationwide

CM affirms pledge to rehabilitate flood victims

LAHORE:

The Punjab government will send medicines and medical staff for serving the flood-affected population of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi made the announcement on Monday while talking to former federal minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan who called on him and appreciated the relief measures.

The chief minister vowed that the government was fully committed to redressing the flood-related damage and reiterated that the affected people would not be left unattended.

He noted that flood-affected areas of Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Mianwali had been declared calamity-hit and water and land revenue charges had been waived off to facilitate the distressed population.

A survey is being conducted to assess damage to houses, crops and livestock along with the provision of tents, food hampers and other necessary material in the areas, he said and added that the provincial cabinet had also approved allocation of Rs4 billion for the rehabilitation of the irrigation infrastructure.

Former minister Ghulam Sarwar appreciated that the Punjab was following a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the affected people.

Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour also called on Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and expressed regret over the flood-related losses.

The chief minister welcomed international assistance to the flood-affected people and maintained that the calamity had caused colossal damage.

He said the government was following a comprehensive strategy to rehabilitate the affected people.

Pakistan and Canada enjoy the best friendly relations while a good number of Pakistanis are also residing there, he remarked. However, there is a need to take concrete steps to promote trade and economic relations by expanding cooperation in the education, health and energy production sectors, he maintained.

A proactive approach is needed to promote trade and economic cooperation between Canada and Punjab and the time has come to take steps for expanding cooperation in different sectors. In this regard, the exchange of trade delegations would give impetus to bilateral cooperation, concluded the CM.

The Canadian diplomat expressed the desire to promote cooperation between Canada and Punjab in different sectors.

Tribute to martyrs

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan armed forces and said the Defence and Martyrs Day is a unique chapter in the history of Pakistan.

In a message issued on Monday, the CM stated that officers and jawans of the armed forces thwarted the nefarious designs of the enemy. There is no other example in history of such bravery of the Pakistan armed forces who gave a befitting response to the insidious enemy, he maintained. The martyrs are still alive in the hearts of the nation, he commented. The armed forces have set countless examples of bravery on every front, which will always be remembered, added the chief minister.

“The armed forces gave a befitting reply to the enemy and the martyrs who laid down their precious lives for the defence of the homeland are our pride. The entire nation expresses complete solidarity with the martyrs and their families and it salutes the Ghazis for their courage and bravery,” he added.

The 220 million Pakistanis and the brave armed forces of Pakistan are united for national security. The CM asserted that Pakistan has the best army in the world, which is fully capable of dealing with any aggression.

“Today, we have to reiterate our determination that even the sacrifice of life will not be avoided for the defence of the country,” the CM concluded.

In another development, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi sought a report from the provincial specialised healthcare secretary about a fire incident in the surgical unit-III of Jinnah Hospital. He called for disciplinary action against those responsible for negligence after a comprehensive inquiry.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2022.