Maryam Nawaz announces 444 clinics-on-wheels

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the initiation of ‘Clinics on Wheels’ in all the 112 tehsils of Punjab, announcing the provision of 444 vans to these tehsils under this project, each equipped with ultrasound facilities.

“We will provide 444 clinic-on-wheels vans to these 112 tehsils, including ultrasound facilities,” Maryam Nawaz said while presiding over the 6th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Finance and Development (SCCFD).

The SCCFD approved the establishment of a Punjab Film Fund and the conversion of Digital Communication Cell into a Strategic Communication Cell within the Department of Environment & Climate Change. The committee also approved the upgrade, construction, and maintenance of border outposts in Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan. It also sanctioned the construction of an M2 Motorway Interchange at the entrance of Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura and a flyover at Chanda Qila Chowk in Gujranwala.

The SCCFD also agreed to include the Narowal Kartarpur Corridor Scheme and mega road projects in the Annual Development Programme 2024-25. It also reviewed the construction of an additional carriageway along the Mianwali to CPEC Interchange Dawood Khel route. The chief minister instructed the construction of Multan-Vehari road as a two-way road. The SCCFD approved an increase in grants for the houses of police martyrs’ families.

The SCCFD approved grant-in-aid for the ChildLife Foundation. It also sanctioned the provision of retro-reflective number plates in Punjab. It also approved the Murree Development Plan, which includes improvements to Murree’s water supply system, release of a supplementary grant of Rs.137.5 million for the Murree Municipal Corporation and a project for the construction of a District Office Special Branch in Murree. It also approved the implementation of branchless payments through Punjab Bank to daily wage employees in the Forest Department. Financial assistance to the victims of Indian missile incident in Chak No44/15L of Khanewal District, Mian Channu, was also approved.

Later, while chairing a review meeting on matters related to law & order in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated, “Protection of life and property of people of Punjab is my foremost responsibility. We will do whatever is needed to protect public life and property.” Maryam directed the authorities to take indiscriminate action against criminals and anti-social elements. She said, “Police should be able to take proactive action. The attackers of police check-posts should be given such a stern response that they do not dare to attack again.”

She also directed police officers to ensure foolproof security on Eid Milad-ul-Nabi by visiting scholars. Maryam approved a proposal to increase the number of provincial border posts and directed the police to enhance their training, provide APCs, bulletproof vehicles and jackets, and install body cameras. Additionally, she approved a grant of Rs 1 billion for the police force. The CM also directed the police to trace and bring to book the killers of five in Rahim Yar Khan.

Paying tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his death anniversary, she said “the edicts of Quaid who dedicated his life to the dream of a separate homeland for the Muslims are a beacon of light for every Pakistani. Inshallah, we will develop Pakistan in line with the Quaid’s dreams.”