Bilawal rejects LG poll schedule

Tells party leaders to challenge ECP decision in high court

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the schedule of by elections for local government released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is unacceptable, and the Sindh government will immediately challenge the schedule in the Sindh High Court (SHC).

Addressing the foundation laying ceremony of heart disease medical facility Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Cardiovascular Disease in Korangi, Bilawal said that the schedule of LG by-polls by the ECP is a joke.

He said that for the first time in history, the PPP had a clean sweep in local government elections in Hyderabad, while also emerging as the largest party in Karachi.

Bilawal questioned as to why PPP was not given its rightful chance to have its mayor in Karachi and Hyderabad. “Some elements are finding it hard to digest that the mayor of Karachi will be of PPP,” he said, adding that he was surprised that local bodies elections have been held in Sindh but the people are deprived of representation deliberately.

He brushed aside fears of adversaries and said PPP have stood up to people running the Thunder Squad in the city and the goons of the terrorist sitting outside the country.

Bilawal said that the medical facilities run under PPP-led government treats patients on the basis of humanity.

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) should become a model for the entire nation in every province and if other provinces want it, Nadeem Qamar is ready to give it to them. People say that NICVD is the answer to what happened to devolution of departments to provinces under the 18th Amendment of the Constitution, he said.

NICVD branches will be opened in other cities too, “we will provide free heart treatment facilities in other cities as well,” Bilawal said adding that NICVD  can compete with Europe or  with any hospital in India.

The PPP chairman said that for the last 10 to 15 years, opposition forces have been engaged in character assassination of the party, but the performance of NICVD is an answer to all.

Without naming anyone, Bilawal said the ‘opponents’ should show an institution like NICVD in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. He urged the ‘opponents’ to leave the politics of extremism, bullying, hatred and division. If you are running your hateful politics today, you are doing yourself a disservice, he said.

Earlier, PPP chairman performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1,200-bed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases at Korangi.

The ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Health Minister Qadir Patel, Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Senator Nisar Khuhro, NICVD Executive Director Dr Nadeem Qamar, all the provincial ministers, diplomats, MPAs and PPP leaders and workers in a large number.

The new ZAB institute of cardiovascular disease stretches over an area of 40 acres, located just north of the intersection of Main Korangi Road with Shah Faisal Korangi Road.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister apprised the chairman about the new ZAB institute. “This state-of-the-art complex will comprise seven buildings, occupying a total area of 2.4 million square feet, will be equipped with the most advanced medical technology,” he said.

Murad said the institute would offer specialised cardiac medical services, including 16 major and minor operating rooms, 18 cardiac-cath labs, two MRI labs, four CT labs, and a range of imaging procedures.

The CM said that the hospital would boast the country’s largest clinical and animal research facility, among other services.

The Pakistan Peoples Party prides itself on always recognizing healthcare as one of its major priorities, the chief minister said and added that  Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always urged the party to focus on education and on health. “Taking her words as our mission, we have concentrated our efforts on these two sectors - health and education, and I am happy to say that our hard work is showing great results,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2023.