Opposition critisises Shahbaz for failure to combat dengue

LAHORE: Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Friday slammed provincial government for its utter failure to combat with Dengue virus which they said had claimed lives of dozens of citizens.

They also charged chief minister Punjab with negligent of controlling the epidemic.

The opposition members lambasted Shahbaz Sharif's utterances regarding calling of Pak army to tackle Dengue fever saying it as absurd and depicted non-seriousness on the part of chief executive of the province.

The opposition members were making statements during special time awarded by the Speaker Rana Mohammed Iqbal for the Point of Orders in the house.

Taking the floor first, PML-Q's parliamentary leader Choudhry Zaheeruddin exhibited a news item before the house about strike of the employees of the city district government and their refusal to make spray and fumigation against the Dengue virus in the city.

He alleged that the government was showing lukewarm response to Dengue issue and the situation could be gauged from the fact that the province was without health minister. He called for immediate appointment of permanent health minister.

PPP Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Mehmood Basra flayed absence of the chief minister from the House. He drew the attention of the house saying that we all should know that how Shahbaz Sharif was serious in eradicating Dengue fever. He urged the chief minister to ensure his presence in the house so that he could answer important queries from the members.

A PPP's law maker Hassan Murtaza asked unconditional apology from Shahbaz Sharif. "Army is the custodian of our boundaries and not to deal with petty issues", he added. He suggested the PML-N to convene All Parties Control (APC) to seek suggestions for controlling the Dengue fever. He said Dengue fever had jolted Takht e Lahore.

PPP MPA Uzma Bokhari taking strong exception to the chief minister's statement observed that he (Shahbaz) had tried to cover his government's failure regarding Dengue virus. "Being head of a province, such jokes do not suit him" Bokhari said.

Meanwhile, PPP's legislator Dr Akhtar Malik raised the issue of vacant post of vice-chancellor in Bahaudin Zikrya University on which the provincial law minister claimed that the government had recommended a name for the post and forwarded it to the Punjab Governor Latif Khosa.

He also informed the house that Supreme Court had taken notice of the issue.

Earlier, the 29th session of the Punjab assembly started with Speaker Speaker Rana Iqbal Ahmad Khan in the chair with one hour and 35 minutes delay against its scheduled 3pm time. Interestingly, when the house was in session none of the ministers was present and the Chair saved the government from embarrassment by declaring pray-break. In the meantime, almost all the ministers ensured their presence in the house.