LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer here on 21 July 2025.
During the meeting, they discussed the overall political situation and ongoing development projects in South Punjab. Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer paid tribute to the chief minister for the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the province. He also expressed gratitude to her for establishing a burn center in Bahawalpur.
He further appreciated the establishment of field hospitals, mobile health units under the Clinics on Wheels initiative, and the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic project across Punjab. He termed the chief minister’s vision of equal development of every city under the Punjab Development Programme as a game-changer.
The deputy speaker also lauded the launch of the air ambulance service, the establishment of field hospitals, and the ongoing efforts to eliminate encroachments across Punjab.
On the occasion, in-principle approval was granted for the establishment of a children’s hospital in Bahawalpur, given the urgent healthcare needs of the region. It was agreed that the hospital would be constructed near the Civil Hospital, Bahawalpur. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed officials to submit a comprehensive plan for launching the Bahawalpur Children’s Hospital project.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “Development projects in Punjab are our foremost priority. The Punjab government is committed to providing basic facilities to the people of South Punjab at their doorstep.”
Deputy Speaker Channer acknowledged that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab is on the path to real development. He remarked that people-friendly decisions have become the hallmark of her government.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed gratitude on the social media platform ‘X’ after securing 243 votes against 99 in the Senate election. She congratulated Hafiz Abdul Karim on his victory and extended her sincere thanks to the coalition partners for their support.
In a separate message on ‘X’, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the killing of a girl in the name of honour in Balochistan, calling it an “attack on the conscience of humanity.”
She said, “Such a heart-wrenching incident has deeply shaken every sensitive soul. No custom, tradition, or ideology that challenges the writ of the state or undermines the rule of law is acceptable in a civilised society.”
The chief minister demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice and punished in accordance with the law. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed profound grief over the deaths of four individuals in a traffic accident in Kasur.
She extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. She also took notice of the tragic drowning of three youths in a canal in Sarai Alamgir and sought a detailed report on the incident. She extended her sympathies to the grieving families and urged the public—especially parents—to prevent children from swimming in canals, rainwater drains, and rivers.
Published in News Daily on 22 July 2025.
