LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has instructed release of Rs2 billion from his discretionary fund for the treatment of some 3,000 destitute patients suffering from different diseases.

Some Rs313.7 million funds have so far been released for the treatment of 239 deserving patients of cochlear implants and over Rs620m granted for the destitute patients of bone marrow transplant.

Similarly, financial aid of Rs263.3m has been provided to 520 cancer patients. Moreover, Rs10m have been distributed among the heart patients from CM’s discretionary funds. Some Rs484.1m have been released for treatment of 539 patients suffering from liver diseases, Rs183.4m for 642 patients of kidney diseases, Rs53.8m for 16 cases of gaucher disease and Rs99m for 164 cases of destitute patients suffering from various diseases.

A grant of Rs58.7m has been provided to 16 patients suffering from enzyme diseases and Rs4m for seven patients facing hormonal problems.

Sarwar: Governor Chaudhry Sarwar with a delegation of businesspeople met Namangan Governor (Uzbekistan) Shaukat Abdul Razzaq to strengthen bilateral relations and formulate a strategy for the exchange of delegations between Namangan and Punjab.

“The meeting decided to take measures to enhance political and diplomatic ties, trade and economic cooperation,” said Mr Sarwar and invited the Uzbek business community to invest in Pakistan.

According to a statement issued from the Governor House, both sides discussed issues, including strengthening of relations between the two countries.

During his visit to the Uksalish Free Industrial Zone, Mr Sarwar reviewed the “Namangan New City”. The governor also visited various factories along with the delegation of Pakistani business people and called upon the business community of both countries to work together.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2022