She stated this while addressing the inaugural function of night shift of OPD in Fatima Jinnah Medical College/Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, according to a press release here on Saturday.

She said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif gave special importance to the uplift of health and education sectors and the maximum funds had been allocated for health sector during the current year. She said provision of free medicines and kidney dialysis to the patients and a pay package of Rs 5.5 billion for doctors were proofs of the fact.

Maryam said the recent dengue virus was the worst of its kind and the chief minister had taken emergent steps for its eradication and due to the untiring efforts of the doctors, nurses, paramedics and experts, the death rate was controlled.

She said foreign experts had also openly admitted the fact that had government not taken these steps, the number of deaths would have been in thousands.

She said that government is making a comprehensive planning for the development of health, education and medical sciences.

She appreciated the efforts of principal, MS and faculty members for providing best facilities to the students in Fatima Jinnah Medical College and best medical facilities to the patients in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Replying to the questions of students, Maryam said the PML-N had the same approach which the people had over the issue of Dr Aafia and vowed that the being a woman, she would be raising voice against the oppression against Aafia Siddiqui.

She said that if the PML-N came into power in centre, the citizens would not be handed over to other countries against dollars.

Maryam also announced financial assistance for the students belonging to a poor family of Dera Ghazi Khan on this occasion.

Advisor to Chief Minister Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Principal Prof. Rakshanda Tayyab and MS Dr. Ejaz Sheikh also addressed on this occasion.