LAHORE: Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the mausoleum of Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Iqbal Day Thursday, laid flowers at the Mazar, offered Fateha and prayed for the progress, prosperity, stability, integrity and peace of the country.
The CM especially prayed for the liberation of the oppressed people of Gaza and Occupied Kashmir. Chairman Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Pakistan Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad offered the prayer.
The chief minister promptly addressed concerns regarding the state of Allama Muhammad Iqbal's mausoleum. Noting the deteriorated condition of the marble, as well as the dim lighting and discoloured walls, he called for a comprehensive plan for the Mazar's renovation. Emphasising the significance of upholding the dignity of a revered figure like Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the chief minister stressed the need for immediate restoration measures.
He directed the replacement of worn-out marble within Mazar-i-Iqbal and mandated the restoration of its interior to its original state.
Mohsin Naqvi underscored the importance of restoring the Badshahi Masjid exterior to its authentic form. He instructed the Director General of the Walled City of Lahore Authority to prioritise the restoration of the mosque's outer structure within the ongoing renovation project.
He oversaw the progress of the Lahore Fort Cafe establishment near the Alamgiri Gate of the fort. He also requested the enhancement of the adjacent corridor to the Alamgiri Gate to provide an appealing experience for tourists, especially those from abroad. Walled City of Lahore Authority DG Kamran Lashari provided a comprehensive briefing. Provincial Ministers Mansoor Qadir, Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, Bilal Afzal, Ibrahim Murad, Provincial Adviser Kunwar Dilshad, IGP, Secretaries Information, Auqaf, Tourism, Commissioner Lahore Division, CCPO, Deputy Commissioner and other relevant officers were in attendance.
Visits hospitals, inspects upgrade projects
The chief minister along with the provincial ministers visited three hospitals, and inspected the finishing work of Shahdara flyover project and ongoing work on the bridges. He stated that InshaAllah Shahdara flyovers would be opened to traffic before 20th November.
The CM visited Government Teaching Hospital Shahdara, Mayo Hospital, New Internees Hostel, emergency upgradation project, ENT Tower and Lady Aitchison Hospital.
The MS of Shahdara Hospital was absent from his duty and some patients were nebulising themselves on their own without a mask, on which the CM expressed his indignation and ordered providing them masks.
The women complained about misbehaviour showed by the hospital guards on which the CM took a prompt notice and ordered to take action against the hospital guards.
The CM directed to improve treatment facilities for the dengue patients. He reviewed progress being made on the emergency block upgradation work of Mayo Hospital and stated that InshaAllah upgradation work will be completed by 31st December and the emergency block will be made functional. He inspected the CT Scan machine shut down since 2017 and ordered making it functional by December. The CM stated that shutting down of a CT Scan machine for 6 years amounts to a serious negligence. He directed secretary health to take prompt measures in order to make functional CT Scan machine.
He expressed his concern over the new Internees Hostel especially the pathetic condition of washrooms. He assigned a task to the committee for the Hostel upgradation. He directed to upgrade the ENT ward.
The CM reviewed treatment facilities in various wards of Lady Aitchison Hospital and ordered improving cleanliness arrangements.
Inaugurates 'Sikh Yatra Booking Portal’
Pakistan has launched a groundbreaking religious tourism programme designed to facilitate Sikhs eager to visit their sacred places in the country. This initiative represents the first of its kind in Pakistan.
As part of this programme, Sikh yatrees from across the globe can now conveniently make online hotel bookings through the ‘Sikh Yatra Booking Portal.’ Moreover, they have the option to hire security services and arrange transportation, with the added privilege of VIP status during their tours.
During the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Sikh Yatra Booking Portal,’ the chief minister stressed the importance of extending full hospitality to Sikh yatrees, ensuring a seamless and obstacle-free experience during their visit to Pakistan. He announced establishing a dedicated tourism police force to actively promote religious tourism in Punjab.
Dr Mambal Singh, a member of the Parbandhak Committee, thanked the CM for initiating the ‘Sikh Yatra Booking Portal.’
Condoles loss of lives in accident
The chief minister expressed his deep grief over the loss of precious human lives in a traffic accident near Lodhran. Expressing his heartfelt sympathy and condolences with the heirs of the deceased persons, he sought a report from the Commissioner Multan division and RPO about the Lodhran incident and ordered legal action against the driver responsible for committing negligence.