Latest news with #SalmanRafique
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
FIC: Minister displeased with state of affairs
LAHORE: Steps are under way to implement the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for a healthy Punjab, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, said. During his visit to the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Salman expressed his displeasure over the mismanagement of the queue management system and non-availability of medicines at FIC. He also visited the pathology lab and echography ward and inquired about the details of diagnostic tests and reporting time. Khawaja Salman Rafique also expressed his displeasure over the mistreatment of patients by the security staff and the poor hygiene conditions. The Minister and the Provincial Health Secretary inquired about the facilities available to patients individually in the emergency and OPD pharmacies and the provision of medicines. He directed authorities to create a regular mechanism for the availability of medicines other than heart disease for the patients under treatment. He inspected the packaging process and records of the supply of medicines to homes. Khawaja Salman said that Rs 33 billion were provided for the provision of medicines in the last fiscal year. 'Implementation of the SOPs of service delivery set by the Chief Minister of Punjab should be ensured. Strict action will be taken on complaints about ordering medicines from outside the hospital,' he added. The Minister said all medicines related to heart diseases should be available in the hospital, adding there is a zero tolerance policy for negligence in service delivery to patients. Provincial Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood Khan said that Rs 23 billion funds were provided to hospitals to pay the dues of previous years. 'As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, strict action will be taken on the non-availability of medicines to patients,' he said. Executive Director FIC Dr Hamid Saeed and MS Dr Nadeem Akhtar gave a briefing during the visit. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister reviews preparations for heavy rains
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management, Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired a meeting here on Friday, to review preparations for the expected heavy rainfall. Additional Director General PDMA, Syed Jawad Haider briefed the meeting that heavy showers are likely to begin on Sunday night, with this year's monsoon rainfall is expected to be 25 percent above normal. The Provincial Minister directed authorities to ensure swift drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas and stressed that all available resources will be deployed to safeguard the public during the rainy spell. Moreover, the four-day haematology training course organised by the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore was concluded Friday with a certificate distribution ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, the vice- chancellor underscored the urgent need to restore clinical credibility through structured training and improved diagnostic practices. Prof. Dr. Ahsan Waheed Rathore emphasized the critical need to regain lost credibility in clinical and laboratory practice. 'Even correct interpretation of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) report is often overlooked by professionals. Skills that should be embedded in our professional programs are conspicuously absent,' he remarked and said, 'We have restructured our MPhil and PhD programs to be time-bound and competency-driven. Our focus now is to build faculties in various disciplines and ensure consistent academic activity that contributes to stronger professional communities." Head of UHS Haematology department, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Naveed, shared plans to make such focused training a regular feature at UHS. 'We envision future sessions to explore even finer details of Haematology,' he said adding that there's a strong case for standalone modules. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Security arrangements for Muharram, preparedness for floods discussed
LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the Rescue Headquarters and reviewed the arrangements made during Muharram-ul-Haram. Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer gave a briefing. The Provincial Minister had a special conversation with Rescue 1122 Water and Rescue Team Attock through video link. Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated Khurram Ramzan rescuer and other rescue teams Attock for saving the life of a person trapped in the river. The minister also announced to give Khurram Ramzan an additional salary. Salman Rafique said that according to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Emergency Services Department of Punjab is providing the best services to the people. Rescue 1122 teams were always ready ahead of time for every challenge. In the past years, Rescue 1122 teams have always been ready ahead of time during floods and Muharram, he said. Khawaja Salman Rafique said that flood and rescue teams have been deployed in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur in view of the threat of flash flooding. Special rescue boats have been deployed in Mianwali for the safety of zaireen crossing the river. I will be in the field with you rescuers during Muharram and floods. Secretary Emergency Services while giving a briefing on the Muharram and flood arrangements, said that all arrangements regarding Muharram and floods have been completed. During Muharram-ul-Haram, 12,000 rescuers, 815 ambulances, 2,166 motorbikes, 316 specialized and fire vehicles and more than 1,000 special rescue posts will be set up across Punjab. Regarding the flood, Rescue 1122 is ready throughout Punjab. 850 rescue boat engines with boat operators, 1300 life jackets, 156 scuba sets and essential equipment are on alert throughout Punjab. Mock exercises are underway across Punjab while coordination with the district level administration has been completed. Community Emergency Response Team (Rescue Scouts/Volunteers) are on high alert in the affected areas. Moreover, Salman who is also Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order visited the control room of the Home Department. He reviewed the live monitoring of the main processions and gatherings across the province from the control room of the Interior Department. Secretary Interior Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi gave a briefing on the current situation across the province. Khawaja Salman Rafique contacted the control room of the Home Department in the control rooms across Punjab one by one and took the report. On this occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Muharram-ul-Haram is being celebrated with complete devotion, respect and peace across Punjab. More than 37,000 majalis and about 10,000 processions are being monitored in Punjab. Geo-tagging has been done on the map of majalis and processions across Punjab and monitoring is ongoing with cameras. Punjab cabinet ministers are visiting all districts and supervising the arrangements. The Cyber Patrol Cell of the Home Department is taking action against those involved in sectarianism. Accounts of those spreading sectarianism on social media are being blocked and arrests are being made. People involved in mischief on social media are being dealt with iron hands. Implementation of the rules and regulations issued by the Home Department should be ensured. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Health insurance plan to continue uninterrupted: minister
LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the health insurance program for the people of Punjab will continue uninterrupted. Salman said the Punjab government has recently paid Rs 22 billion in the last five years in terms of medicines in government hospitals and the closure of Sehat Card in government hospitals will not have any impact on providing free treatment to the people. The decision to limit Sehat Card to private hospitals has been taken in view of the betterment of the people and the sustainability of the health system, he said, adding: "The shortage of money for the health insurance program in government hospitals will be paid by the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department. There is no shortage of medicines in government hospitals at present." He added the department has a huge amount of Rs 32 billion to ensure the availability of medicines, under which the process of supplying medicines to government hospitals is underway. The stock of medicines is available in sufficient quantity in government hospitals and the supply of medicines is being continuously increased with time, he said. According to him, the Punjab government is committed to providing the best, quality and free treatment to the people. We will continue to take all possible steps for the further improvement of the health sector. The Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education is monitoring the supply of medicines in government hospitals on a daily basis. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt launches 'cyber patrolling'
In an effort to counter sectarianism during Muharram, the Punjab Home Department has launched the province's first-ever Cyber Patrolling and Quick Response Cell. The state-of-the-art unit will operate round-the-clock to monitor social media platforms for objectionable and inflammatory content, and to take swift legal action against violators. According to official hand-outs released on June 30, the Punjab Police registered nine cases within the last 24 hours for the online circulation of sectarian and hateful content. Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases - eight for posting on Facebook and two for sharing material via WhatsApp. The arrests were made in Sargodha, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Rajanpur and Layyah. Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, affirmed that the force is actively cracking down on digital incitement of religious hatred. "Anyone using social media to spread sectarianism will face the full force of the law," he warned. The newly formed cyber cell is housed within the Home Department's central control room and operates in collaboration with the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). It monitors online platforms for hate speech, fake news, and provocative content. Reported material is relayed to the Special Branch, which in turn coordinates with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking such content. So far, the unit has flagged 271 social media accounts to the PTA, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals involved in spreading sectarian hate online. The cell is also fully integrated with Punjab's Safe City infrastructure and receives real-time updates from district-level control rooms. A dedicated "Muharram e-Portal" has been established to link all districts with the central unit for streamlined coordination and incident reporting. Live surveillance of major Muharram processions and religious gatherings is also being conducted from the control room. The initiative was reviewed during the 31st meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, held at the Home Department and chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi and senior officials from police, Counter Terrorism Department, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies. Speaking at the meeting, Rafique reaffirmed that ensuring peace during Muharram is the provincial government's top priority. Over 150,000 police personnel have been deployed across Punjab, with support from the Pakistan Army and Rangers. Section 144 will be enforced on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to restrict pillion riding, and a blanket ban has been placed on the public display of weapons. He also confirmed that robust security arrangements have been finalised for the upcoming Urs of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar. The Home Department urged the public to use social media responsibly and warned that those found sharing sectarian or inflammatory content would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
