Layyah DCO made OSD, MS suspended

Inquiry report of deaths presented to CM; Turkey’s help in Wasa reforms welcomed

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting Friday in which Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection team presented inquiry report into the tragic incident of the death of 30 persons due to poisoned sweets in Layyah. 

The chief minister ordered to make DCO Layyah OSD besides immediate suspension of Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital, Layyah. He said that stern action would be taken under the law against negligent officials. He directed to present the challan of the case against the accused in the court at the earliest and said that the death of 30 persons due to poisoned sweets was a tragedy. 

He directed to set up a high-powered committee to fix responsibility regarding negligence in the treatment of the victims and ordered that the committee should present its final report as early as possible. According to the inquiry report presented to the chief minister, Khalid, younger brother of the owner of the sweets shop Muhammad Tariq, has confessed to poisoning the sweets and he had been arrested. 

Adviser on Health Kh Salman Rafiq, Chairman CM’s Inspection Team, Secretaries of Agriculture and Health departments, Director General Punjab Food Authority and officials concerned were present in the meeting while Commissioner and RPO, DG Khan Division, DCO Layyah and DPO Layyah participated in the meeting through a video link.  

Wasa reforms: A delegation of Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here, Friday. Matters regarding improvement of system of

supply of potable water to the people of Punjab, reforms and capacity building of Wasa besides training of the staff were discussed on the occasion. The Turk institution assured full cooperation for reforms in Wasa and improvement of water management system. Shahbaz Sharif said that Wasa had a key role in supply of drinking water to the masses and maintenance of sewerage system. He said that Wasa would have to work with efficiency so as to come up to the people's expectations. He welcomed cooperation of Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration for reforms in Wasa, improvement of its efficiency besides training and capacity building of the staff. He said that improvement in the technical expertise of Wasa staff was the need of the hour.

He appreciated the offer of assistance by the Turk institution for reforms in Wasa in big cities of Punjab. The chief minister said that Wasa would have to play its due role in accordance with the modern needs and the skill and experience of the Turk institution would be fully utilised for this purpose. He said that cooperation

between Pakistan and Turkey in different sector was increasing.

Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration also offered technical assistance in the training and capacity building of Wasa staff.

Leader of Turk delegation and General Director ISKI Dr Dursun Atilla Altay assured all-out help to the Pakistani brethren. He said that Istanbul had the same water management problems in 90’s as are being faced by Lahore today. He said that all-out cooperation would be extended to the Punjab government in resolving these problems.