Misbehaviour with polio workers not to be tolerated, says CM

Lahore - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that maximum resources are being utilized for elimination of polio and anti-polio campaign should be pursued as a movement. He said that no effort should be spared for saving the children against this deadly disease.

He said that misbehaviour or violence against polio workers is intolerable, therefore, complete security should be provided to them during anti-polio campaign.

He expressed these views while presiding over a high level meeting, which reviewed anti-polio campaign in the province. The chief minister said that new generation will be provided a polio-free atmosphere at any cost and efforts are being made for eradication of polio with commitment and determination. He said that every member of the society will have to come forward and play his role for rooting out polio. He said that disfavour with anti-polio teams securing the future of the nation will not be tolerated at any cost. He said that complete security should be provided to anti-polio teams and the security plan evolved for this purpose should be strictly implemented. The chief minister said that no negligence will be tolerated with regard to eradication of polio and the concerned departments should perform their responsibilities through better coordination.

He further directed that a vigorous public awareness campaign be launched against polio and training programme of polio workers be made more effective. Shahbaz took notice of positive environmental samples in Rawalpindi and Lahore and said that all out measures should be taken in this regard and anti-polio campaign be continued on regular basis. Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq, chief secretary, inspector general police, home secretary, CCPO Lahore, Lahore commissioner, DCO Lahore and officers concerned were present.

Separately, Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of three children due to plunging of a school van in a drain near Kahna. The chief minister expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and directed administration to provide best treatment facilities to the children who were injured in the accident. The chief minister also ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The CM also took notice of the news of kidnapping and gang-rape of a lady teacher in the area of police station Kot Sultan, Layyah district, and sought a report from the DPO. Issuing instructions for strict action under the law against the culprits involved, he directed that justice should be provided to the lady teacher at any cost. He said that the elements involved in the incident deserve no leniency. On the instructions of the chief minister, police have registered a case and arrested four accused.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Matters of mutual interest and promotion of bilateral relations were discussed in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan and Turkey are bound together in strong brotherly relations and the sentiments of love and brotherhood between the peoples of the two countries are deep-rooted. He said that several Turk companies have made investment in various sectors in Punjab and their number is further increasing. He said that metro bus project is a glorious example of Pak-Turk friendship and more than 150,000 passengers travel by metro buses daily. He said that a state-of-the-art Tayyip Erdogan Hospital has been set up in Muzaffargarh with the cooperation of Turkey and is providing modern treatment facilities to the patients. He said that historic friendship between Turkey and Pakistan is turning into useful economic relations. He said that Turkey has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need.



Source : Daily Times , 29th Nov 2014