ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Friday said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s National Health Programme was a gift for the country’s poor living below poverty line.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Minister of State for Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar here he said that 2015 was year of political stability and the government launched several public welfare projects, including National Health Insurance Scheme, upgradation of public sector schools scheme and a modern public transport system.
He said that in 2014 some elements tried to
create political anarchy, but the government foiled the conspiracy by showing extreme patience and tolerance and
consequently political stability was restored in the country, economy was put on revival path and law and order improved.
He said that due to effective steps of the government, ailing economy was revived, long neglected social sector was paid attention, efforts were started to improve relations with the regional countries to ensure peace and stability. He said that in the new year more political stability would come to Pakistan, economy would take off, and peace in
the region would bring prosperity for all.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in its manifesto before 2013 general election had promised that with the collaboration of private sector better health facilities would be introduced and medicines would be provided at concessional rates. However he said the government had
done more in the National Health Programme than what was promised in the manifesto.
He said that in the party manifesto it was promised that Rs 150,000 insurance cover would be given per family but now the amount had been doubled and Rs 300,000 medical cover was being given to each family in the selected districts. Moreover, he said it was promised that medicines
would be provided on concessional rates but now free of charge medicines would be provided under the National Health Programme.
Wishing happy new year to entire nation he prayed may 2016 prove as the year of peace and happiness for all Pakistanis and the entire world.
In 2015 the government took several initiatives in the social sector including health and education, he said adding that those who do not have resources for medical treatment would benefit from the scheme.
Elaborating the government steps in social sector, he said that the Prime Minister also announced upgradation of public sector schools in federal capital territory. Moreover he said that the government introduced a respectable mode of communication for the residents of the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, through which they could go to
schools, universities, offices, businesses, hospitals etc.
The newly launched transport system, he said, could be compared to luxury cars as far as facilities were concerned.
He said that during 2015,the federal government launched several mega projects, completion of which would help improve living standard of the people.
He said that without electricity, gas and a modern network of motorways and highways, the country could not make progress, and the government was focusing on these areas.
When the national income would increase, the life standard of the people would increase, he said adding that it was philosophy of the PML-N government and vision of the Prime Minister.
To a question about printing of the pictures of Prime Minister on the banners of newly launched National Health Programme, he said that it was not being done for personal publicity of the Prime Minister, rather it was done so that the institutions should realize importance of the project.
