CM orders steps against floods

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that the federal and provincial departments concerned should complete all preparations in view of recent rains and all necessary arrangements be completed for the protection of life and property of the people against possible flood.

He warned that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. The federal and provincial departments should keep a close contact with each other and remain vigilant to cope with any emergency situation. 

He said that all precautionary arrangements should be completed and immediate evacuation of the population be ensured in case of flood threat. The chief minister issued these instructions to the authorities concerned while addressing a three-hour long video link conference here on Saturday.  Shahbaz Sharif directed that Cabinet Sub-Committee should review the arrangements by visiting south Punjab. He directed completion of the programme of saving of people against flood in Nullah Aik within a year and said that all possible resources would be provided for increasing the capacity of Nullah Aik.

He directed PDMA to provide abundance stock of relief goods in the districts where rains were likely. He said that indiscriminate action would be taken against those making illegal breach in bunds. He said Cabinet Committee on Flood should ensure immediate implementation of the decisions taken and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard. The Meteorology DG gave a briefing on weather situation in the coming days.

The members of Provincial Cabinet Committee on Flood participated in the meeting from Civil Secretariat.

Turk MP: Turk Parliament Member Burhan Kayaturk met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Saturday.

Cooperation in different sectors and relations between Pakistan and Turkey were discussed during the meeting.

According to a handout, speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that there were deep friendly and economic relations between the two countries.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Turk people had played an exemplary role in foiling recent futile efforts for insurgency in Turkey. 

He said that various Turk companies were working in collaboration with Punjab government as a result of which economic cooperation between the two countries had increased. He said that there was a need for increasing contacts among parliamentarians for strengthening ties between the two countries.

Burhan Kayaturk thanked the people, government and leadership of Pakistan for supporting the rule of law and democracy in Turkey.

health: Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday chaired a meeting which accorded approval, in principle, for reorganisation of Directorate General Health Services to make it an active institution.

According to a handout issued here, the meeting decided to take strict action against the elements involved in business of spurious medicines and reviewed the steps regarding precautionary measures and checking Congo virus.

The chief minister said that Directorate General Health Services would have to play an effective role in providing medical facilities to the people. He said that the performance of this institution so far could not be termed satisfactory.The chief minister said that Directorate General Health Services had proved to be a white elephant and failed in provision of health facilities to the people. He said that activation of this institution and harmonising it with modern demands was the need of the hour. He said that Health Department should evolve and present a comprehensive plan regarding reorganisation of the institution.

The chief minister said that best experts and talented persons should be engaged for the institution.

Shahbaz Sharif said that if the institution did not achieve the desired results within the stipulated period, decision would be made while seeing its performance. Shahbaz Sharif said that the place for the elements involved in heinous trade of spurious drugs was jail. 

He said the factories manufacturing substandard and spurious medicines should be closed forever. He said that those approving samples of bogus medicines deserved no leniency.

He directed the chief secretary to take strict action against the laboratories approving samples of bogus medicines and the factories preparing such drugs. 

He said those manufacturing spurious drugs should think for a while about giving these medicines to their children.

He said the institutions concerned should fulfill their responsibilities for checking Congo virus and added that implementation of precautionary measures be ensued. No negligence would be tolerated in this regard, he added.The chief minister expressed sorrow over the death of a doctor due to Congo virus and ordered inquiry into the incident. He directed constitution of a special committee headed by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team chairman and said that the committee should submit inquiry report after reviewing all aspects of the incident. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 million for the heirs to the doctor.

Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan gave a briefing regarding the performance and reorganisation of Directorate General Health Services. Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, the chief secretary and others attended the meeting.