DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The district is set to witness a major advancement in its healthcare infrastructure as the government has released Rs1.11 billion for the establishment of the modern cardiac catheterisation laboratories (cath labs) and a state-of-the-art burns centre.

The facilities will be developed in the city’s two major health centres, including Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital, according to the focal person of the chief minister on development affairs, Nawaz Khan.

He told Dawn that funds had been sanctioned by the finance department for cath labs and burns centre.

“This initiative marks a critical step forward in providing specialised treatment for cardiac patients and burn victims within the region, eliminating the need to seek such services in distant cities,” he said.

Residents hailed the development and lauded Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur for fulfilling his election promises.

They also demanded transparency in and timely completion of the projects.

“We urge authorities to ensure that the project is completed on time and without any misuse of funds,” said a local schoolteacher.

Another resident said such projects often faced delays or mismanagement, so he hoped that that wouldn’t happen this time around.

Meanwhile, residents on Sunday urged the district administration to crack down on the “mushroom growth” of professional beggars across Dera Ismail Khan city.

They complained that Paharpur, Muriali, Dinpur, New Bannu Chungi, main Topanwa Chowk and Kechari areas had recorded the presence of beggars, mostly non-locals, in large numbers.

The residents said from busy marketplaces to quiet neighborhoods, the presence of these individuals not only disrupted life but also raised serious security concerns.

“These are not typical needy people. They operate like an organised network,” said Farooq Baloch, a shopkeeper in the main bazaar.

He said some beggars got aggressive when people denied money, so they followed customers, creating an environment of unease.

Women shoppers insisted that they felt increasingly unsafe in markets due to the presence of beggars in large numbers.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2025