PML-N leader to resist bid to change kidney centre’s name

PESHAWAR: Vowing to resist the government decision to change the name of Nawaz Sharif Kidney Centre in Swat, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter on Sunday termed the move biased, which would have repercussions.

"Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had not established the kidney hospital through government funds. The Rs700 million was arranged from Punjab Hospitals' Trust funds while Rs50 million was donated by Ishaq Dar from his own pocket,'' PML-N KP president Amir Muqam told a press conference here.

He said why Imran Khan had named Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre after his late mother instead of any national hero, he posed a question to challenge the rationale behind the government's move.

Amir Muqam said Nawaz Sharif had allotted land besides a donation of Rs500 million for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore, while the then chief minister Ameer Haider Hoti had allotted the government land for the hospital in Peshawar. He warned of strong resistance in and outside the parliament if the government changed the name of Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital in Swat and also announced to challenge the decision in the Peshawar High Court.

"From how many projects you will remove Nawaz Sharif's name who lives in the hearts of the people?" he questioned. Amir Muqam also lashed out at Chief Minister Mahmood Khan for his derogatory remarks against PML-N leadership at a public meeting in Buner.

"The chief minister negated the Pakhtun norms and defamed the entire Pakhtun community," he said, adding, Marriyum Aurangzeb was a guest and passing such remarks against a woman guest showed how civilised the chief minister was.

Amir Muqam also came down hard on the chief minister for declaring PMLN leaders shameless. "The chief minister must know that shameless were those who had been mentioned by the California court and those named in the book authored by Reham Khan," he added.

He said Nawaz Sharif was the leader who made Pakistan a nuclear state; Shehbaz Sharif built metros in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan in less than Rs30 billion each while the PTI government could not complete to date the Bus Rapid Transit project at a cost of Rs120 billion.

To a question, regarding withdrawal of his security, he said though he had no enmity, security was his right and the IGP had assured of restoring it.