KARACHI, Aug 25: A general ward and ophthalmology unit was inaugurated at the Police-Public Hospital in Nazimabad in Liaquatabad Town to facilitate the area people and police personnel.

Inaugurating the unit, Additional Inspector General Sindh Police Asad Ashraf Malik said that the government had reposed confidence in the institution of police through the Police Order 2002, and it was for the police to come up to the expectations of the people.

He said time had proved that with a change in the attitude of the police, the people of the defunct district central had become friendly towards the force, who had earlier hurled stones at them. He lauded the efforts of philanthropists like Dr Syed Mohammad Ali Shah, who donated to humanitarian causes.

Appreciating the role of Town Police Officer Liaquatabad Hussain Asghar and Liaquatabad Town Nazim Dr Parwaiz, the additional IG said they had laid solid foundations for community policing, and this spirit of trust should encompass the entire province. He said that Hussain Asghar has been given the additional responsibilities of ADIG Police Welfare, so that he could expand welfare work to the entire city, as well as the province.

Dr Mohammad Ali Shah said that though the equipment donated by the A.O. Clinic was worth a few lakh rupees, he would be satisfied if even the eyes of a single patient were cured.

Hussain Asghar elaborated upon the future programmes in this connection.

Following the inauguration of the ophthalmology and general wards, the hospital has turned into 10-bed facility with a laboratory and surgery unit. The Ophthalmology unit has the capacity to entertain 100 patients a day, and the free of cost facility is for the general public, police officials and their families.

The intra-ocular lenses — needed by patients after the surgical operation — would also be provided free of cost. Initially, the lenses have been provided by the A.O. Clinic, though later on they will be acquired from the funds generated through donations by philanthropists.