RAWALPINDI: Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha in Saturday said the Potohar Rehab Centre at Wah General Hospital is ready for opening to provide best treatment to drug addicts.

He said the 50-bed centre had arrangements for accommodation, food, clothing and treatment of the addicts. Sychiatrists have also been arranged for their counselling.

The commissioner said the Punjab chief secretary’s vision wad to build rehabilitation centres in all districts where people will be provided with quality treatment by saving them from the expensive fees of private centers.

Rawalpindi district is the pioneer in this regard where a centers has been established. It will be fully functional from Monday, he added.

Mr Chattha directed the deputy commissioner to transfer the drug addicts lying on footpaths at Murree Road to the rehab centre so that they can be brought back to a healthy life.

In a meeting held at the Commissioner’s Office, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hasan Waqar Cheema, Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nazarat Ali, Assistant Commissioner Taxila Salman, Medical Superintendent Wah General Hospital, CEO Health Dr Ansar, Director Colleges Sher Ahmed Satti and other officers participated.

Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner said the aim of building was to provide best treatment facilities to the people who unfortunately got addicted to drugs.

The aim of this centre is to reiterate the pledge that people from all walks of life work to make Rawalpindi a drug-free region, he said.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2023