KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, Excise and Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Sharjeel Inam Memon, announced a major milestone in healthcare as Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated several advanced medical units at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi.

These include a 120-bed Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, a 110-bed Neurology Department, a specialized stroke unit, and the latest CyberKnife technology. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Minister Sharjeel Memon expressed pride in the achievement, congratulating the entire nation.

He emphasized that these facilities are not limited to the people of Sindh but are available free of cost to all citizens across Pakistan. Highlighting the significance of the CyberKnife treatment for cancer, Memon noted its prohibitive costs internationally, with expenses reaching 221 million rupees in the U.S., 194 million rupees in Germany, 166 million rupees in Japan, and similar figures across other countries like the UK, France, and Switzerland.

In sharp contrast, the Government of Sindh is providing this cutting-edge cancer treatment at no charge in Karachi, benefiting patients from all over Pakistan. This landmark initiative showcases the Sindh government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to its people and positioning the province as a hub for free advanced medical treatment.

He said that 31 percent of the patients who have recovered from CyberKnife treatment are from Punjab. People come to the hospitals in Sindh not only from all over the country but also from abroad; patients from 15 different countries seek treatment in Sindh. We do not consider anyone's ID card or passport when providing treatment—people's lives and health are our first priority.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also expressed that we want to work in the health sector in Punjab as well. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that there has been significant rainfall in Sindh this time as well, although Karachi has not experienced any major spells. Sukkur received 283 mm of rain, Naushahro Feroze 126 mm, and Mirpurkhas 111 mm.

The Sindh government has implemented comprehensive security measures during the rains. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is currently visiting the rain-affected districts. Funds have been allocated to all Deputy Commissioners for dewatering, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has taken preemptive measures to mitigate potential losses. There are no major issues.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with his entire team and local representatives, are fully mobilized. Water is being pumped out for rainwater drainage, and the situation is completely under control. The water has been fully drained from the cities that experienced rainfall.

He said that the Department of Excise and Taxation is also providing vehicle registration and biometric services at home, with a fee of ten thousand rupees. Vehicle transfers can also be done online from home. The Sindh government is working towards making all services available online.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that at a previous event held to raise funds for flood victims' homes through the auction of premium number plates, Rs 67 crore was collected in just four hours. A similar event will be held again in September, where philanthropists will bid for premium number plates. The money raised from this event will be donated to a housing project for flood victims. The Sindh government is taking a historic step by rebuilding 2.1 million houses destroyed in the last flood. Although the flood affected all of Pakistan, only the Pakistan People's Party is actively building homes for the flood victims.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) never engages in negative politics. He expressed disappointment over Maryam Nawaz's speech, noting that the Prime Minister has increased electricity prices. He remarked that while the younger brother (referring to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif) has raised electricity rates, the elder brother (referring to Nawaz Sharif) reduced prices in Punjab for two months. "I could also play politics, but the vision of a leader is not to provide temporary relief by lowering electricity prices for just two months—the people should receive permanent relief. What happens after two months of relief? Planning should be long-term, not just for a short period.

The PPP did not increase electricity bills, and we have never advised criticism for the sake of criticism. The People's Party has never engaged in negative politics. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has increased electricity bills for the entire country." He said that true leadership involves long-term planning, and visionary leadership belongs to the People's Party. Shaheed Bibi was aware of the energy crisis in Pakistan. The Sindh government, utilizing all its resources, activated the Thar Coal project.

An airport, dual carriageway, and other facilities have been provided in Islamkot as part of this effort. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that electricity should be made cheaper not just for Punjab but for all of Pakistan. The People's Party's Sindh government is providing the country's cheapest electricity through the Thar Coal project. The Sindh government is supplying electricity not only to its own province but to the entire country.

In response to Punjab's statements, the Chief Minister will respond with reason and without taunts. The Sindh government is investing its resources to ensure the provision of the most affordable electricity from Thar Coal. Shaheed Bibi's (Benazir Bhutto's) vision has been realized by President Asif Ali Zardari. Memon said that journalists from all over Pakistan will visit Tharparkar. Economic and energy experts believe that Tharparkar’s coal will provide cheap electricity.

Electricity generated from Thar coal is already being supplied to the National Grid, and now the federal government has recognized that more electricity should be generated from Tharparkar coal. Tharparkar's coal reserves are so vast that they could be exported for the next two hundred years. While some mock us for providing protocols, the Pakistan People's Party remains focused and does not prioritize advertisements. The facilities available in Sindh are for the benefit of all of Pakistan.

Sharjeel Memon said that the Pakistan People's Party thinks about the entire nation, not just one region. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made it clear yesterday that we provide free treatment without checking ID cards or passports; our focus is on humanitarian service and public welfare without discrimination. In response to a question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Sindh government and the People's Party have always maintained a national mindset. We have consistently supported the federal government unconditionally.

Senior Minister Shajeel Inam Memon said that the facility of vehicle registration at home is available for the entire province. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the founder of PTI is increasingly being exposed. No one in Pakistan has engaged in self-serving politics like PTI. The PTI founder compromised the integrity of the country for personal gain, and Saqib Nisar also played a role as a facilitator.

The facilitators of the PTI founder could potentially include Saqib Nisar and others, which will become clear after an inquiry. Saqib Nisar should return to Pakistan and address media questions in a press conference. He collected money in the name of building a dam and shut down pharmaceutical companies in favor of his sons-in-law. Saqib Nisar made significant efforts to persuade Imran Khan. In the view of the People's Party, the constitution and the courts are sacred, and Saqib Nisar has disrespected the supreme office of the country through his actions.

To a question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that President Asif Ali Zardari had asked the federal government to undertake long-term planning to reduce electricity rates, not just provide temporary relief to one province for two months. We focus on taking action rather than making announcements; we act first and announce later. In response to a question, the Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that Syed Murad Ali Shah is performing his duties very well.

The formation of the cabinet is the chief minister's prerogative. Any changes to the cabinet will be made by the chief minister in accordance with the wishes of the Sindh leadership. In response to a question, the Senior Minister said that the Sindh government is waging a jihad against drugs, with tests to be conducted in schools, colleges, and universities.

The action against drugs will be intensified, and in this effort, President Asif Ali Zardari, the Federal Government, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah are all aligned. If a complaint is received about drug use at social events or in private homes, the government will also take strict action in those cases. Rigorous measures will be implemented against those who use and sell drugs.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 21 2024

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