Swat Trust Hospital: Project delay irks Ishaq Dar

LAHORE: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed the progress on the Swat Trust Hospital project and called for making operational the hospital by September 15 at all costs. Chairing a meeting of the Finance and Technical Committee of the STH here Sunday, the minister expressed dismay over the undue delay in making operational the hospital by the relevant contractor. He said despite provision of all facilities and funds the contractor was gaining time unnecessarily. The hospital was to become fully operational by June 30, 2014 which was later extended to August 14 and now, the contractor was again seeking extension till September 15, 2014. Dar asked the contractor to expedite work for this noble cause to ensure relief to the ailing community as early as possible. The minister reminded that this hospital was being constructed with the donations of the people and warned of invoking penalty clauses of the agreement, if it was not completed by September 15, 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2014.