LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif returned home yesterday morning after a three-day visit to Turkey.
On his return, the chief minister said that warm-welcome accorded to him at Turkey was an expression of love by the government and people of Turkey with Pakistan and Pakistani people. The relations between the two countries will enhance due to his visit to Turkey, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that useful meetings have been held with Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister BinAli Yildirim, Turk leadership and investors during his visit to Turkey. “The Housing Development Administration Turkey (TOKI) has expressed interest in investment in construction of low-cost houses,” he informed.
According to the CM, the Turkish government has assured full cooperation for further improvement in health sector.
He also lauded the people of Turkey for their struggle in saving democracy from a military coup. Shehbaz Sharif had gone to Turkey on special invitation of Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
SURPRISE VISIT TO PIC
Immediately after his return from Turkey, the CM paid a surprise visit to Punjab Institute of Cardiology. He reached the hospital without any prior intimation and inquired from the attendants of the patients present outside emergency ward about treatment facilities being provided in the hospital.
The CM inquired after the patients in the emergency and inspected the facilities being extended to the patients regarding treatment. He also issued necessary instructions to hospital administration for the treatment of some needy patients.
Shehbaz Sharif also visited PIC’s lab equipped with modern facilities for diagnostic tests of the patients.
Shehbaz also inspected the cleanliness arrangements in washrooms and appreciated the hospital administration for proper hygiene.
The CM, on the request of some patients and their attendants, announced free treatment and financial assistance for the poor patients, and issued necessary instructions to the administration in this regard.
The patients and their attendants, although appreciated the treatment facilities available at the hospital, complained of shortage of beds in emergency.
Shehbaz Sharif said that provision of best treatment facilities to the common man is included in his priorities and quality health facilities will be provided to them at every cost. He said that due to rush of patients in PIC, a new emergency block is being constructed which will be soon be inaugurated.
He further directed the hospital administration to take emergent measures for functioning of new block at the earliest.
MEETING WITH CHINESE
Wang Wenzong, President, Huwanging Shendong Power Generation Company, called on CM Shehbaz yesterday. They discussed the pace of progress on 1320-megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power project, and expressed satisfaction over the pace of progress and agreed to further speed up the project.
“Sahiwal Coal Power project is a milestone in the friendship of Pakistan and China and this project is being completed expeditiously, which is unprecedented in the world,” said the CM.
He added this project will be completed far early from its stipulated period, and it is hoped that its first turbine will start generating electricity in April 2017.
He appreciated the hard work of engineers and other staff of Chinese company and said that the professional capabilities and speed of Chinese company to advance the project is exemplary.
The CM also expressed the hope that the project would start generation of electricity with full capacity in the middle of next year.
Wang Wenzong said that the project would start power generation in the middle of next year. Under the vision of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added, no effort will be spared in running first turbine in April 2017.
He thanked Shehbaz Sharif for extending all out facilities and cooperation in this regard.
The Chinese delegation included Company Vice President Liu Jie, Managing Director Sahiwal Project Liu Chao and other officials. Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Planning & Development Chairman, Inspector General Police, provincial secretaries and other officials concerned were present on the occasion.