Amraiz Khan
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that like passage of budget despite tall claims of the opposition, no one can stop the completion of public welfare projects.
Talking to media persons on Sunday, she alleged the former rulers looted the people like vultures and squandered government resources mercilessly.
“The bondmaids are levelling baseless accusations of corruption against Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
Prime Minister Imran Khan stands firm against the corrupt mafia with full strength, courage and determination.”
Dr Firdous said that under the leadership of CM Usman Buzdar, the Punjab government took indiscriminate action against the land grabbers and retrieved hundreds of thousands of acres of state lands from the squatters. Every penny of public money is being spent only on public welfare projects.
She said that it is time to fulfill all the promises made to the people, adding that all the public welfare schemes will be completed by the end of this year.
She criticized the opposition for doing politics on an ‘inherited car’. She said that negative propaganda is being spread about the Chief Minister’s assets and vehicles.
The car owned by the CM was gifted to him by his father, adding that the assets of CM Usman Buzdar are already declared in the FBR.
The SACM said that all the certified thieves have to answer to the courts for their misdeeds.
PTI stands firm against corruption and the accountability of looters and plunderers will continue. She said the government will continue to ensure the protection of public rights.
She said the former rulers instead of spending on human resources turned Pakistan into a concrete jungle whereas the PTI-led government is going to spend on human development, adding that provision of the best education and healthcare facilities is the top priority of the PTI government.
She said the government is bringing a revolution in the health and education sectors.
Dr Firdous said the PTI government has brought about major reforms in the health sector. The allocation of Rs 370 billion for the health sector is a gift from PM Imran Khan and CM Usman Bazdar to the nation.
The Punjab government has given a COVID relief package of Rs 106 billion. The development budget of the health sector has been increased by 182% to Rs. 96 billion, she said.
She said that funds of Rs. 80 billion have been allocated for the Universal Health Insurance Program.
Under the Universal Health Insurance Program, 100% population of the province will be provided free quality healthcare facilities during the current financial year.
By December 31st, 2021, Punjab’s population of 120 million will get health insurance, she said.
The SACM said that a development budget of Rs78 billion has been set aside for the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education in the next financial year. A Corona Expert Advisory Group of technical experts has been set up.
The daily testing capacity has been increased from 2,000 to 20,000. Corona testing facilities are being provided in a total of 51 laboratories at government and private levels.
She said that the recruitment process has been expedited and the recruitment of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and others has been ensured on merit.
Together with the Punjab Public Service Commission, a total of more than 35,000 recruitments have been made so far.
She said the scope of health cards has been extended to all 36 districts of Punjab. Replying to a question, Dr. Firdous said the electricity shortfall increased due to the late arrival of LNG.
She said that lack of rains resulted in water shortage in dams which consequently reduced hydropower capacity as well. Gas-fired power plants will start operating at full capacity from today.
The Special Assistant to CM said that NAB is an independent and autonomous body. The notice served to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister had made it clear that there is no nexus between the NAB and the government. Everyone has the right to respond to NAB notices.
Everyone has to be accountable before the law. The CM secretary will himself answer all the NAB’s questions, concluded the SACM.
