LAHORE: The Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department and the Pakistan Air Force signed an agreement which transferred administrative control of the Fort Munro Tehsil Headquarters Hospital to the PAF on Sunday.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was also present. The ceremony was informed that a 40-bed hospital was constructed at a cost of Rs157.5 million and all necessary medical equipment had been provided at the facility stretched over an area of 20 kanal.

It is the second Punjab government project at Dera Ghazi Khan district’s recreational resort handed over to the PAF. Earlier, under an MoU between the PAF and the School Education Department on March 18 the PAF agreed to set up a cadet college over 100 acre at Fort Munro. The Punjab government will also contribute Rs1 billion to the project.

Mr Sharif said establishment of the THQ hospital and handing over its administrative control to the PAF is a historic move. He said the health facility would provide the local residents as well as tourists the best healthcare.

He said health culture had changed in Punjab as hospitals are now equipped with the latest technologies and 24-hour free CT scan test service.

He said new hospitals, schools, colleges, universities and roads had been constructed all over the province.

Referring to a recently released UNDP-Pakistan report, he said Punjab had been declared the best province in terms of education, health and other sectors.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said it’s an honour for the PAF that administrative responsibilities of the THQ had been entrusted to it and they highly regard the Punjab government for showing confidence in it.

He said the PAF is not only protecting the national geographic boundaries but also serving public in the fields of education and health.

JOINS PML-N: Former MPA from Kasur Ilyas Khan called on the chief minister and announced joining the PML-N.

Welcoming Mr Khan, the CM said the PML-N is the real representative party of the people and it has set records of public service.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018