LAHORE, Feb 16: The leaflets carrying PML-Q message dropped in several areas of the provincial capital from a helicopter on Saturday remind one of the ‘good old days’ when the late Gen Ziaul Haq was calling the shots.

Where the PML-Q claims to have done `unprecedented’ development works, especially in Punjab, it only finds the health sector reforms introduced by it mentionable on the leaflet, giving an impression that the party considers it an area where it can boast of its performance.

Going by the leaflet, the party introduced free treatment and medicines for patients during its five-year tenure in Punjab, besides, equipping all public sector hospitals, rural health centres (RHCs) and basic health units (BHUs) with the latest equipment. It also boasts of new hospitals for cardiac diseases, hepatitis centres and burns units, established across the province, and substantial increase in the pay structure of doctors and paramedical staff so that they could serve in the rural areas with commitment and dedication.

The party, through the leaflet, has asked the people if they want continuation of the `development process’ and provision of such facilities in an improved way in other parts of the country as well, they should vote for the PML-Q.

“The Q League is following in the footsteps of late Gen Zialul Haq. The dictator had used the same method in his bid to muster the public support when he held a referendum in 1985, asking the people whether they wanted enforcement of Shariat in the country; if `yes’ they were `electing’ him president for another five years,” recalls a political analyst who wishes not to be named.

However, Pakistan Medical Association finance secretary Dr Shahid Malik sees the PML-Q claim in a different light, terming it a hollow slogan. According to him, most of the development work in the health sector exists only on paper.

Commenting on the claim of free treatment and medicines to patients, Dr Shahid maintains that according to the budget allocation in the health sector the provincial government had spent Rs89 on per person per annum during the last five years. Besides, he says, the previous government did not fulfil the promise of confirming the doctors and improving the service structure of regular ones. The government had also appointed the doctors of its choice on different posts, he said.

Improving the condition of BHUs and RHCs also remained a distant dream in PML-Q’s tenure, Dr Shahid says. He, however, gives credit to the previous government for providing better facilities at the emergency wards of public hospitals and introduction of Rescue 1122 service.