Latest news with #SehatInsafCard
Express Tribune
04-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PTI seeks Imran's nod for Jhagra probe
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Internal Accountability Committee has decided to seek permission from the PTI founder Imran Khan to proceed with an inquiry against Taimur Saleem Jhagra, former finance and health minister. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that once approval is obtained from Imran Khan, investigations will be initiated into allegations of corruption and irregularities within the finance and health departments in the previous provincial government. Meanwhile, the committee has expressed serious concerns over Taimur Jhagra's sharing of confidential documents on social media. It will recommend disciplinary action against him to the PTI founder. Jhagra had previously expressed distrust in the committee in response to a questionnaire sent to him, following which the committee stopped investigations against him and decided to consult Imran Khan. It may be recalled that the committee has launched an investigation into the performance of the party's previous provincial government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In this regard, the accountability committee has sought answers from former provincial minister Jhagra regarding 13 charges against him, including allegations that the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure and that Rs36 billion was withdrawn from the pension and gratuity fund account without being returned. The former provincial minister has submitted a 35-page response to the accountability committee, saying that the committee's questionnaire is negative, politically motivated, and that he does not have confidence in the party's internal accountability panel. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that the committee formed by founding chairman Imran Khan for good governance in K-P has sent a two-page questionnaire to Jhagra, in which a response has been sought on 13 charges. Jhagra hit back by leveling allegations against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The questionnaire also raises concerns regarding alleged fraudulent loans issued by the Bank of Khyber and whether any action was taken, flaws in the Sehat Insaf Card program and the lack of efforts to rectify them, the failure to control the spread of polio with 20 cases reported in 2020 and 22 in 2022, and allegations of establishing regional health directorates to benefit a particular group of doctors, which were never properly activated. Sources confirmed that Jhagra responded in detail to every question posed by the committee. In his written reply, he stated that when rumors surfaced about Imran Khan's intention to include him in the K-P cabinet, he was immediately informed that he would be investigated for corruption. He further criticized the committee's approach, claiming that instead of recognizing his efforts in pension reforms, he was questioned about the use of funds for pension payments. He described the inquiry as an attempt to portray his efforts to mitigate the financial crisis as a crime. Jhagra also dismissed allegations related to the selection of hospitals for the health card, asserting that he had no role in the process. He revealed that when Imran Khan directed the Chief Minister to include him in the K-P cabinet, the Chief Minister suggested that he first clear the accountability committee's inquiry.
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
PTI probes ex-minister Taimur Jhagra
The Internal Accountability Committee (IAC) of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched an investigation into the performance of the party's previous provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). As part of the inquiry, the committee has sought answers from former provincial minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra regarding 13 charges against him. Among the allegations is that the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure and that Rs36 billion was withdrawn from the pension and gratuity fund account without being returned. The charge sheet further states that he also served as the health minister and that all summaries sent by the health department were allegedly approved without proper scrutiny because he simultaneously held the portfolio of finance minister, raising concerns about a conflict of interest. In response, Jhagra has submitted a 35-page reply to the accountability committee, rejecting the allegations and asserting that the inquiry is politically motivated. He stated that he does not trust the committee and considers the questionnaire biased. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that the committee, formed by founding chairman Imran Khan to ensure good governance in K-P, had sent a two-page questionnaire to Jhagra. The document questions why the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure, why Rs36 billion from the pension and gratuity fund was not returned, and what steps, if any, were taken to address the province's financial crisis. The questionnaire also raises concerns regarding alleged fraudulent loans issued by the Bank of Khyber and whether any action was taken, flaws in the Sehat Insaf Card program and the lack of efforts to rectify them, the failure to control the spread of polio with 20 cases reported in 2020 and 22 in 2022, and allegations of establishing regional health directorates to benefit a particular group of doctors, which were never properly activated. Sources confirmed that Jhagra responded in detail to every question posed by the committee. In his written reply, he stated that when rumors surfaced about Imran Khan's intention to include him in the K-P cabinet, he was immediately informed that he would be investigated for corruption. He further criticized the committee's approach, claiming that instead of recognizing his efforts in pension reforms, he was questioned about the use of funds for pension payments. He described the inquiry as an attempt to portray his efforts to mitigate the financial crisis as a crime. Jhagra also dismissed allegations related to the selection of hospitals for the health card, asserting that he had no role in the process. He revealed that when Imran Khan directed the Chief Minister to include him in the K-P cabinet, the Chief Minister suggested that he first clear the accountability committee's inquiry.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P to keep rehabilitated addicts under vigilance
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to keep a strict watch on the drug addicts who have been successfully rehabilitated recently under the Drug Free Peshawar drive. On the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Rs50,000 in aid will be provided to each rehabilitated individual to help them financially. Families have also been directed to keep a close eye on these individuals and inform the Drug Control Room immediately if they relapse into addiction. A formal affidavit has been obtained from the families, binding them to monitor the rehabilitated individuals and bring them to rehabilitation centres for medical check-ups every 15 days. To prevent these individuals from relapsing into addiction, a special squad comprising the Social Welfare Department and police has been formed. Starting on Monday, this squad will visit various areas of the city and transfer individuals struggling with addiction to rehabilitation centres. Those who relapse will also receive free treatment for six months. In this regard, agreements have already been made with rehabilitation centres. Moreover, those suffering from mental health issues will receive treatment at their homes. Specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres will visit these people every 15 days to provide treatment. Punjab's rehabilitated individuals will be handed over to the Punjab government on Monday. In this regard, contact has been made with the Punjab Social Welfare Secretary. Similarly, Afghan nationals will be handed over to the Afghan Consul General in Peshawar on Monday as well. A lengthy meeting was held under the chairmanship of Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud to discuss these arrangements. The meeting was attended by Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Salim Akram, Social Welfare Director Rafiq Mohmand, Social Welfare District Officer Noor Muhammad Mehsud, and administrators and specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres. It may be recalled that in January this year, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur had decided to include the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the Sehat Insaf Card scheme, and directed that a case be prepared and presented to the provincial cabinet for approval. Once approved, rehabilitation centres for drug addicts will also be included in the Sehat Card panel, ensuring a more effective and organized rehabilitation process. This decision was made in the first meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Narcotics, held with the Chief Minister in the chair.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sehat Card to cover drug addicts rehab
PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has decided in principle to include the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the Sehat Insaf Card scheme, and directed the relevant authorities to prepare a case and present it to the provincial cabinet for approval. Once approved, rehabilitation centers for drug addicts will also be included in the Sehat Card panel, ensuring a more effective and organized rehabilitation process. This decision was made in the first meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Narcotics, held on Thursday with CM Gandapur in the chair. Cabinet members Mian Khaliqueur Rehman, Faisal Khan Tarakai, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, the Chief Secretary, senior officials of Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), police, and other relevant departments attended the meeting. The meeting has decided to accelerate actions against drug addiction, directing the police to launch a massive crackdown against drug dealers across the province. It was also decided that police officers failing to take effective action against drug traffickers will be removed from their positions, adding that a special meeting of the task force will be held in the next 15 days to review progress on anti-narcotics operations and assess the crackdown in all districts. The participants, on this occasion, raised concerns about poppy cultivation in certain areas of the province and a committee has been formed to persuade poppy farmers to switch to alternative crops, deciding that the government will provide seeds for alternative crops to encourage farmers to abandon poppy cultivation. The meeting further decided the institutionalizing the whole process of rehabilitation; responsibilities of various departments and institutions.
