Lahore, In a significant collaborative effort to enhance healthcare services in Punjab, Provincial Minister of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique engaged in comprehensive discussions with a delegation from the German Development Bank. The meeting, held at the office of the Director General of Health Services, focused on strategies to ensure the provision of safe blood across government hospitals in the province. Notable attendees included Professor Dr. Shabnam Bashir, Dr. Zahid, Jawad Mansoor of Green Star, and Dr. Muhammad Imran Bashir, Secretary of the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the deliberations centered on implementing effective measures for safe blood supply to patients requiring treatment. Representatives from the German Development Bank, Dr. Masooma Zaidi and Professor Dr. Shabnam Bashir, briefed Minister Rafique on the initiative, highlighting the importance of addressing this critical healthcare need. Minister Rafique reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring patient rights to safe blood and outlined the prioritization of resolving issues related to human resources in blood bank centers throughout Punjab.
Furthermore, Minister Rafique lauded the German Development Bank’s ongoing success in spearheading health and nutrition projects within the region. He issued directives for the swift identification and closure of illegal blood banks, reinforcing the provincial government’s dedication to healthcare improvement. Dr. Zaidi, representing the German Development Bank, expressed eagerness to foster a renewed partnership with the Punjab government, aiming for continued progress in the healthcare sector. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled in the next two weeks to review advancements in enhancing blood bank facilities.
Karachi, In a significant move aimed at providing relief to the economically weaker sections of Sindh’s population during the holy month of Ramzan, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has unveiled a comprehensive Rs22.5 billion Ramzan package. This initiative is designed to support approximately 60% of the province’s population, particularly targeting families with monthly incomes between Rs32,000 to Rs35,000.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the targeted beneficiaries will receive a cash assistance of Rs5,000 each through a banking mechanism, the details of which will be announced shortly. To ensure the effective implementation of this package, the Chief Minister has directed divisional commissioners to intensify efforts against hoarders and profiteers, ensuring price stability and the availability of essential commodities throughout Ramzan.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, which was attended by key provincial officials, including Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhre Alam, and other senior representatives from the police, finance, agriculture, food departments, and utility services. The meeting focused on finalizing the Ramzan package and other measures to control prices and improve supply chain management during the month.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to identify and support the eligible families, drawing on the success of a similar package provided last Ramzan, which amounted to Rs15.5 billion. He instructed officials to work closely with banking partners to facilitate the distribution of the allocated funds.
In addition to financial assistance, the Chief Minister ordered a crackdown on market manipulations that lead to unjust price hikes, directing law enforcement and district administration officials to closely monitor market activities and enforce price controls. Furthermore, he called upon utility companies to ensure uninterrupted power and gas supply during key Ramzan timings to facilitate the observance of fasting and religious practices.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of the Zakat department in providing additional support through a Rs14,000 guzara allowance to registered families, urging the private sector and philanthropic entities to contribute towards alleviating the hardships faced by the poor during Ramzan.
Addressing the broader challenge of price increases during the holy month, Murad Ali Shah criticized the tendency to exploit the period for profit, stressing the importance of empathy towards the less fortunate. He vowed to personally monitor the situation through surprise visits, underscoring his commitment to ensuring that the aid package and price control measures effectively reach and benefit the intended recipients.
Karachi, In a significant diplomatic engagement, a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, met with Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tesori at the Governor House. The meeting focused on strengthening Pak-Saudi relations, enhancing facilities for Pakistani pilgrims, and discussing the Road to Makkah initiative among other pertinent issues.
According to Sindh Governor House, the discussions underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in facilitating Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Governor Tesori expressed his appreciation for the Saudi government’s efforts in providing exceptional services to the pilgrims and conveyed his gratitude to the Saudi delegation for their visit and the special attention from the Saudi Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Tawfiq.
Ambassador Al-Maliki emphasized the mutual benefit of peace in Pakistan for the Islamic Ummah and highlighted the Saudi government’s interest in investing in Pakistan and enhancing the facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. This meeting illustrates the ongoing commitment of both nations to foster closer ties and improve the pilgrimage experience for their citizens.
The visit also included a tour of the IT classes held at the Governor House, where Governor Tesori and Ambassador Al-Maliki were warmly welcomed by the students. Governor Tesori shared insights into the initiative, mentioning that over five and a half lakh individuals participated in the IT test held at the Governor’s House, resulting in 50,000 students receiving IT education. He further noted that the Governor’s House had been opened to the public for the past 17 months, during which time it welcomed around 1.45 lakh visitors.
The meeting and subsequent activities underscore the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, spanning diplomatic, religious, educational, and investment domains. It marks another step forward in the deepening relationship between the two countries, reflecting their shared interests and the importance of the pilgrim welfare.