Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif talks with aged woman, who was bought sugar bag on subsidies price, during his surprise visits at Ramzan Bazaar in Hafizabad. — Photo by PPI

HAFIZABAD Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday sought the help of masses to ensure provision of subsidised flour and sugar to the deserving segments of society, especially during Ramazan.

'Your servant has initiated work for the provision of quality edibles to the deserving people and white-collar class at reasonable prices throughout the year in general and during the holy month in particular,' the chief minister told people who had gathered at the flour and sugar sale centre set up at the MC Hospital compound on Alipur Road.

Mr Sharif's visit to Hafizabad in the evening took almost all government officials and residents by surprise.

Even the district coordination officer came to know about the arrival of the provincial chief executive 15 minutes before landing of his helicopter at the lawns of the district complex. There was only one police van making way for the three-vehicle convoy on Saddar area roads, where a large number of people were present to buy edibles for iftar.

The chief minister took a round of the Sasta Ramazan Bazaar at Sitara Market in Saddar area, checked quality of vegetables and fruits, asked questions from the vendors and customers about the arrangements made by the city administration.

He was pleased to see that separate counters had been set up for the elderly, disabled and women at the centre.

In his brief remarks, Shahbaz Sharif said billions of rupees were being spent on provision of relief to the people under the Ramazan Package and a record subsidy had been given on wheat flour only to ease the deserving. 'But I need your help in this regard. Please  check that only the deserving come here and take away the subsidised flour and sugar,' appealed the chief minister while ordering an inquiry into alleged police torture of two men whose family had approached him during his surprise visit to the centre.

He also took a serious note of the complaints that usually costly medicines remained out of stock at the MC Hospital and directed that availability of essential drugs be ensured at the infirmary at the earliest.