ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain Friday said the valiant armed forces and operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ have full support of the entire nation that stands united in the struggle to rid the country of terrorism.
Mamnoon said he greatly values the sacrifices being made by the people of the tribal areas, particularly the people of North Waziristan, who have been displaced as a result of the operation. He added every effort would be made to facilitate the affected families.
On the occasion of despatching two medical mobile health units for IDPs, provided by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University and PIMS, the president said the government was cognizant of the difficulties being faced by the people in IDPs’ camps and every possible effort was being made to alleviate their sufferings.
Press Secretary to President Saba Mohsin Raza told media persons that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University and PIMS have despatched two mobile health units for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan. She said these medical mobile health units will serve the displaced persons and their families.
Saba Mohsin said during his meeting with the delegation of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, the President greatly appreciated the gesture of the university and PIMS for providing medical mobile health units and also detailing paramedical staff and doctors for taking care of the health requirements of IDPs. These mobile units, doctors and paramedic staff would remain in the affected area for the next 18 months.
“This gesture reflects sentiments of the entire nation and symbolises the level of appreciation of the sacrifices that are being made by our brethren of tribal areas,” Saba quoted the President as saying. The President said the brave people of tribal areas have always served as frontline defence of the country not only against external threats but also against the threat of extremism and militancy.
The President reiterated his call for manifesting greater unity at this critical juncture and prayed for complete success of our armed forces and those who were braving great difficulties for a better future of the country. President Mamnoon said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that the government’s efforts to provide relief to the affected people were being generously complemented by all sections of the society and the civil society was forthcoming in assisting the displaced families. However, in view of the enormity of the challenge there was need for greater efforts in this regard, continued the President.


He advised Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Barrister Usman Ibrahim to convince the business community to take a lead role in providing financial assistance to the IDPs.
Saba said the President was in constant touch with the military authorities concerned while the KP governor was being regularly briefed on the operation as well as the situation of IDPs.
Earlier, during the meeting, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Javed Akram, while briefing the President, said these mobile hospitals, equipped with mini operation theatre, x-ray machines, laboratory and delivery suite, will be of great relief to the IDPs. He added PIMS had detailed doctors, nurses and paramedics to serve in the affected areas round the clock on weekly rotation basis.
Prof Akram said that besides routine medication and check-up of sick and injured, the IDPs will also be provided with medicines for viral or other infectious diseases.
The President was informed that in addition to these mobile health units, PIMS would provide 10,000 blood bags to Pakistan Army. Around 7,000 employees of PIMS would also donate one-day salary for the IDPs.
The vice chancellor told the President that these mobile health units would also act as vaccination point of polio for the IDPs and thus would help government in its mission to contain spread of polio virus from the affected tribal areas to the rest of the country.
Prof Javed Akram said PIMS would also assist in rebuilding health facilities in North Waziristan, including primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities. He said PIMS would act as logistic centre and establish medicine and blood banks in the affected areas. He said the financial aspects of relief activities would be audited every month and report would be shared with all stakeholders.
On this occasion, Shehla Javed Akram, wife of the vice chancellor, pledged Rs 1 million for medicines as donation for the IDPs. The President greatly appreciated the gesture.
The President lauded CADD, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University and PIMS for their efforts to provide relief to the IDPs. He called upon Pharma Bureau and Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association to come forward and assist in establishment of drug banks in the affected areas. Prof Javed Akram was appointed as a focal person in this regard, who would be assisted by Prof Khaliq-uz-Zaman.