LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday reviewed progress on the projects of clean drinking water in the province.

Presiding over a meeting yesterday, the chief minister said that work has been started on the Rs30billion programme - Saaf Paani project - for providing potable water to the people as of their right as well as help control diseases caused by the polluted water. “This progrmame is of great significance with regard to public health and Punjab government will ensure provision of clean drinking water to millions of people living in villages,” he added.

The CM said that more than 80 filtration plants have been installed in five tehsils of southern Punjab under a pilot project. Million of people are getting clean drinking water from these water filtration plants daily in Lodhran, Khanpur, Hasilpur, Dunyapur and Minchanabad, he further said.

Besides six districts of southern Punjab, Shehbaz said, the Saaf Pani programme will be started on priority basis in those areas where underground water is not suitable for human consumption.

He further directed that best companies of the world should be selected in a transparent manner for this programme and rules and regulations should be followed.

During the meeting, the CEO Saaf Pani Company gave a briefing on different matters relating to the project. Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, Chairman Punjab Saaf Pani Company Kashif Padhiar MPA, Chairman Chief Minister Taskforce on Information & Culture Muhammad Maalik, Engineer Qamar-ul-Islam MPA, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned authorities attended the meeting whereas Secretary Housing participated in the meeting through video link from Commissioner Office Multan.

SURPRISE VISIT: Separately, the chief minister paid a surprise visit to Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Hospital and Ramadan Bazaar Bedian Road yesterday and met the public to know their views on the medical facilities and prices of the items of daily use.

The CM reviewed availability of medical facilities in the Hospital whereas prices and quality of essential commodities, fruits, vegetables and pulses in Ramadan Bazaar. He asked under-treatment patients in the hospital and their attendants about medical facilities being provided in Gynae ward, pharmacy, sanitation arrangements, supply of medicines, and behaviour of medical staff.

Patients and their attendants appreciated the CM for setting up the hospital and availability of healthcare facilities and medicines. They also expressed their satisfaction over the behaviour of doctors and paramedics.

A patient under-treatment in Gynae ward described the hospital as a blessing.

Talking to doctors, nurses and other staff, Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over cleanliness arrangements in the hospital and also stressed the need for improvement. He said that he was pleased to visit the hospital where best treatment facilities are available to the patients.

The CM also visited pharmacy and blood bank of the hospital and reviewed the system of medicines. He also appreciated the efficiency of the pharmacist.

Shehbaz Sharif, during his visit to blood bank, expressed his pleasure over the commitment of a lady doctor who was performing her duty despite injury to her foot and said that such spirit is essential for service to ailing humanity.

He vowed that a refrigerator will be arranged for storing blood in the bank.

Later, the Chief Minister paid a surprise visit to Sasta Ramadan Bazaar at Bedian Road arranged by Wahga Town.

He inspected the stalls of fruits, vegetables, sugar and flour and also checked the quality and prices of commodities. Talking to consumers, the CM said that the purpose of Ramadan bazaars is to provide relief to the common man in the real sense.

The CM inspected the stalls of sugar and flour and inquired about the quality from the people who expressed their satisfaction. The people visiting Ramadan bazaars expressed their satisfaction over the quality and prices of essential commodities.