Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday visited the Nishtar Hospital (II) project in Multan where he said that the project, launched in 2018, remained a victim of negligence for four years out of mere jealousy and political vengeance, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking during his visit to under-construction 500-bed Nishtar Hospital II, Shehbaz Sharif directed completion of public welfare projects on priority basis and stressed that such programmes should not be politicized in the best interest of people.
“We announced the project in 2018. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government ruined all projects in four years,” he said.
“The construction of the hospital was neglected for four years. The jealousy was that the project belonged to Nawaz Sharif,” he added.
“The PTI government did not provide funds for the project. There should be no politics on the projects of public welfare,” he pointed out.
“A humanitarian service was stopped due to vindictive politics. The PTI remained indifferent for four years which is condemnable. Those who used to label others thieves blocked the development of the country,” he lambasted.
“The machinery for the hospital has been brought from abroad,” he declared.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the ongoing pace of construction work at the hospital, however regretted that the work on phase II of Nishtar Hospital was stopped during the government of Imran Khan. He said the non-implementation of the development work affected the large population of patients in the city and adjoining areas.
He expressed confidence that under the supervision of Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the expansion of hospital would be completed by September 30. Also, the import of modern machinery will help ensure effective implementation of the work, he added.
He also lauded the efforts of the Commissioner of Multan, the Health Secretary and other officials concerned in carrying out the hospital project effectively. He proposed the idea of establishing a medical city in the area to facilitate the locals with state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman, Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and senior provincial government officials were present.
United approach must for financial self-reliance: PM
Later, in his speech at the PM Youth Loan and Laptop Scheme event at the Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan, Shehbaz Sharif said the IMF loan deal was a moment for Pakistan to reevaluate its policies towards attaining the goals of financial self-reliance.
The PM said “The IMF agreement is not a moment of rejoice, but to assess the state of affairs as to how the country has become dependent on loans and foreign grants.”
The prime minister said though the country had averted the dangers of default; however, consistent efforts were required to stabilize the economy from recent external shocks. He emphasized a united approach by all segments of the country including the government, the state institutions, and the nation to lead the country towards financial self-reliance. “A nation, which learn from its mistakes and takes corrective measures, attain the goals of prosperity,” he added.
Terming youth the future of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said the development policies must ensure their inclusion in national mainstream.
The government, he said, was pursuing the vision of encouraging the youth in educational and professional fields.
He appreciated the brilliant students who were focusing their energies on education with dedication and hard work.
He recalled establishing several Danish schools across Punjab and south Punjab for underprivileged students to help them excel.
The prime minister said contrary to nepotism, merit could help drive the students belonging to underprivileged backgrounds to achieve success in their fields.
He mentioned that due to the restraint of resources, only 100,000 laptops were being distributed under the programme and stressed the need for expanding the project to benefit a large number of students.
PM Sharif pointed out that during the tenure of the previous government, industrialists were given loans on a meager four percent markup which incurred big losses to economy.
Had these loans been given to students for entrepreneurship, the outcome would have been much positive and better, he added.
He announced to increase in the number of laptops for students up to five million and set up a Medical City in Multan if their party came to power in the next general election.
He also announced the construction of a flyover at Shujaabad to facilitate the people of the area.
The prime minister on the occasion distributed laptops among the talented university students on merit and also gave away cheques of entrepreneurship loans to youth.