Hafiz Naeemur Rehman rejects Punjab govt’s decision to privatize rural health centers & hospitals.
Says it is essentially an agenda to favor certain people under the guise of outsourcing
LAHORE ( WEB NEWS )
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has rejected the Punjab government’s decision to privatize rural health centers and hospitals in the province, expressing full support for the demands of the Grand Health Alliance.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made these remarks during a meeting with the Grand Health Alliance delegation, led by Dr. Shoaib Niazi, Dr. Salman, and Dr. Ulfat, at Mansoorah. Also present on the occasion were Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Central Punjab Maulana Javed Kasuri, General Secretary Central Punjab Babar Rasheed, Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Turabi.
He stated that outsourcing health centers would result in contractors taking control, with conditions requiring the display of Maryam Nawaz’s name and photograph at these facilities. According to him, this is essentially an agenda to favor certain people under the guise of outsourcing.
He added, “This family first aspired to become kings, and now they want to become queens as well.” Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticized the Punjab government for previously handing over thousands of schools to a contractor system, which he claimed had completely failed.
While addressing the media alongside leaders of the Grand Health Alliance, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said, “We will not allow the Punjab government to strike a blow to the healthcare sector. The rulers must abandon their arrogant attitude and address the issues faced by the public.”
He accused the Punjab government of already ruining the agriculture sector and farmers with its poor and anti-people policies, and now setting out to destroy the medical sector. He said the rulers want to run the country like a monarchy, and that dynastic politics has encouraged a trend of establishing monopolies.
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami warned the government that if it attempts to suppress the peaceful march of doctors and paramedical staff through illegal or unethical means, it will face consequences across the country. He demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz explain why she intends to lay off thousands of workers under the pretext of outsourcing the healthcare sector. He said that the destruction of education, health, and other sectors is not due to doctors or paramedics, but because of her family—her father, uncle, and now herself. He stated that this “musical chairs” game of power has destroyed Pakistan and its institutions.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed regret that the sit-in by the Health Alliance has now entered its 23rd day, and the Punjab government—despite its big claims—has not even listened to the demands of the doctors and paramedical staff, instead choosing a cruel and indifferent approach. He urged the doctors and paramedical community to continue providing healthcare services to the public at health centers, stressing that the people should not suffer.
Dr. Shoaib Niazi stated that the doctor community wants to ensure that the public receives healthcare services at their doorstep.