No one should leave empty-handed: PM

Shehbaz says elderly, women come first in distribution of free wheat flour

BAHAWALPUR/MULTAN:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday visited free wheat flour distribution centres in Bahawalpur and Multan, directing officials concerned not to let anybody leave empty-handed and accord top priority to the elderly people and those who were not feeling well or had fever.

In Bahawalpur, the PM visited the centres established at Dring Stadium and Abbasia High School, where he listened to the complaints and problems of the citizens and directed the authorities to solve them.

Shehbaz also personally reviewed the distribution process of free wheat flour among the citizens.

The PM met with citizens, including women and the elderly, and discussed the arrangements with them.

He expressed satisfaction over the process of providing free wheat flour to the citizens.

He directed provision two bags of wheat flour to the woman who had fever.

Shehbaz directed the officials concerned to provide two bags of wheat flour to the citizens so that they would not come back again for the second bag during the holy month of Ramazan.

A child shook hands with the PM at Abbasia School while he also hugged a senior citizen, Abdul Majeed, and inquired after his welfare. The PM also met a citizen, Allah Bakhsh, who had high fever and inquired after his well-being as well.

The Prime Minister was informed that 26 centres of free wheat flour distribution had been established in Bahawalpur, where the process of distributing of bags to 721,000 deserving citizens was ongoing.

Shehbaz also visited the health unit established in the distribution centre and obtained details about the facilities and patients from the staff.

In Multan, Shehbaz undertook visits to various free wheat flour distribution points, ordering officials to extend maximum assistance to the elderly and differently-abled people.

“Elderly, disabled persons and women should get free wheat flour bags without any trouble,” the prime minister said during his visit to a distribution centre set up at the District Sports Ground.

The PM asked the officials to lift the bags for elderly and differently-abled persons who cannot lift the 10kg bag and help them reach their bicycle or motorcycle.

At this, the officials informed the prime minister that they had been already deputed to extend whatever help the elderly people, women and disabled persons needed.

The PM expressed satisfaction over the process and lauded the Multan administration for making best arrangements at distribution points.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Commissioner Multan Amir Khatak, Regional Police Officer Suhail Ahmad, and Deputy Commissioner Omar Jahangir were present on the occasion.

The commissioner and DC informed the prime minister that 75 counters had been set up at the Multan centre, which they described as the biggest centre in south Punjab. They said that 20,000 bags of 10kg each would be distributed among the poor while over 6,500 bags had already been distributed by midday, on Sunday.

They said that sheds were set up for the people and adequate arrangements for drinking water were in place.

The officials also briefed the prime minister on Ramazan Package and arrangements made for its implementation.

(with input from app)