LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz inaugurated a cardiac cathe-terisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the District Headquarters Hospital in Jhelum, saying patients would no longer have to travel to other cities for cardiac treatment.
During her visit, the chief minister inspected the wards, semi-modular unit and operation theatre, and checked the quality and expiry dates of medicines and injections. She also witnessed a live angiography procedure from the control room and met patients recovering after angioplasty.
A Dubai-based driver, Shehzad Naveed, told the chief minister that he had returned to Pakistan for free cardiac treatment after developing a heart condition. He said he had initially been given an appointment in Faisalabad after a week’s wait but came to Jhelum on his sister’s advice, where he underwent immediate angioplasty.
The CM Punjab directed that patients requiring angioplasty at any hospital in Punjab should not have to wait more than 24 hours. She said the Cath Lab, equipped with angiography, angioplasty, ECG, a modern operation theatre and ventilators, had so far treated 2,400 patients.
Later, the chief minister visited Zahida Bibi at her newly constructed four-marla house in New Abadi Islam Pura, Jhelum, built with a loan under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme. She formally inaugurated the house alongside the beneficiary and her family.
Zahida Bibi told the chief minister that her family had worked day and night to complete the house, with labourers working during the day and family members taking over at night. She became emotional while expressing gratitude, saying the scheme had enabled her family to have a roof of its own.
The chief minister interacted with the family and children and conveyed greetings from PML-N president Nawaz Sharif.
The chief minister said providing people with their own homes brought her immense satisfaction. She described Apni Chhat Apna Ghar as Punjab’s largest low-cost housing project and said its features and impact were being recognised internationally.
Moreover, the CM inaugurated the restoration project of the Gymnasium and Sports Complex in Jhelum.
Upon her arrival at the gymnasium, players accorded the chief minister a warm and enthusiastic welcome. Young girls holding posters greeted her, while she showed affection towards them and exchanged high-fives.
Young girls paid tribute to the chief minister by singing the popular folk song “Teriyan Reesan Kaun Kare.”
Maryam Nawaz also played badminton with a female player and encouraged a chess player with applause.
The chief minister signed autographs for young girls, posed for photographs and interacted warmly with the players. A young player presented her with an embroidered dupatta and placed a crown on her head. She also greeted a special athlete through sign language and enquired about her well-being.
Later, the chief minister visited Old Ram Din Bazaar at Shandaar Chowk, where the Model Bazaar in Jhelum was filled with party workers and young people to welcome her.
Shandaar Chowk and the main bazaar have been converted into a pedestrian walkway by restricting vehicular traffic. The main bazaar has also been upgraded with footpaths, cobblestone paving along the sides and street furniture.
Underground wiring has been installed, while 260 shops have been provided with attractive canopies, Victorian-style lights, planters and benches.
The restoration project of Jhelum Sports Complex and Gymnasium will be completed at a cost of Rs 1.195 billion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Source: brecorder
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