LAHORE: Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has regretted that the opposition was doing politics on an ‘inherited car’ of Punjab CM Usman Buzdar.
Talking to the media in Sialkot, she said negative propaganda was being spread about the chief minister’s assets and vehicles. She said the chief minister’s car was gifted to him by his father, adding that the assets of CM Usman Buzdar were already declared in the FBR.
She said that despite tall claims by the opposition, the provincial budget had been passed, adding that no one could stop the completion of public welfare projects. Dr Firdous said the former rulers looted people like vultures and squandered government resources. The bondmaids were levelling baseless allegations of corruption against Punjab CM Usman Buzdar. She said PM Imran Khan stands firm against the corrupt mafia with full strength, courage and determination.
The special assistant said the Punjab government took indiscriminate action against the land grabbers and retrieved hundreds of thousands of acres of state lands from squatters. Every penny of the public money was being spent only on public welfare projects. She said that it was time to fulfil all the promises made with people, adding that all the public welfare schemes would be completed by the end of this year.
The SACM said that all certified thieves had to answer to the courts for their misdeeds. The PTI stands firm against corruption and the accountability of looters and plunderers would continue. She said the government would continue to ensure protection of public rights. The SACM said the PTI government had brought about major reforms in the health sector. The allocation of Rs370 billion for the health sector was a gift from PM Imran Khan and CM Usman Buzdar to the nation. The Punjab government had given a Covid relief package of Rs106 billion. The development budget of the health sector had been increased by 182% to Rs96 billion, she said.
Dr Firdous said Rs80 billion funds had been allocated for the Universal Health Insurance Programme. Under the program, 100% population of the province would be provided free quality healthcare facilities during the current financial year. By December 31, 2021, Punjab’s population of 120 million would get health insurance, she said.
The special assistant said that a development budget of Rs78 billion had been set aside for the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education in the next financial year. A corona expert advisory group of technical experts has also been set up. The daily testing capacity has been increased from 2,000 to 20,000.
Corona testing facilities are being provided in a total of 51 laboratories in government and private sectors. She said with the help of the Punjab Public Service Commission, a total of 35,000 recruitments had been made so far. She said the scope of health cards had been
extended to all 36 districts of Punjab.