DERA GHAZI KHAN /MUZAFFARGARH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan is facing a difficult situation and challenges, saying the coalition government will steer the country out of these difficulties.

He said this during his visit to a free flour distribution centre set up at the Ghazi University here on Wednesday.

The prime minister said free flour distribution was going smoothly in Punjab under the supervision of Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

He said the government, under the guidance of its Quaid Nawaz Sharif was trying to overcome the difficulties and provide relief to the people.

Says supply of cheap flour after Ramazan being considered

He said for the first time in the history of the country, a huge relief package of free flour was being given to the people in Ramazan.

He said after the end of Ramazan, the supply of cheap flour to the shops would be considered for the welfare and rehabilitation of the people.

He ordered the administration to give top priority to women, the elderly, the sick and the people with special needs while distributing free flour.

On this occasion, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and other officers concerned were present.

The prime minister also distributed bags of flour among the people himself at the distribution centre.

He especially met with some of the elderly men and women present at the centre and asked them about the provision of free flour, besides giving them cash from his own pocket.

Prime minister directed the commissioner to further improve the arrangements at free flour distribution centres.

He listened to the problems of the people and ordered the commissioner to immediately resolve them.

Because of the prime minister’s visit, the local passport office on Ghazi University Road was closed by the administration, causing problems for the visitors.

He also visited a Girls Guide Association camp established at the Ghazi University and lauded the girls’ role in distribution of free flour among the people. The prime minister also paid a ‘surprised visit’ to the free four distribution centre set up at Muzaffargarh’s Faisal Stadium and inquired the people about the facilities available there.

Deputy Commissioner Salman Khan Lodhi briefed him about the distribution of free flour.

The prime minister also distributed flour among some women present at the centre.

Some of the people informed Shehbaz Sharif about their problems and he ordered the deputy commissioner to resolve their issues on priority.

Strict security arrangements were made at the flour distribution centre during the prime minister’s visit to Muzaffargarh.

Later, the prime minister visited the Indus Hospital, which was built during his last tenure as Punjab chief minister with the help of Turkish government, after the 2010 supper floods.

At the hospital, the prime minister also met patients and doctors and visited some of the departments of the facility. Local politicians, including ex-MPA Hamad Nawaz Tipo and ex-provincial minister Malik Ahmad Yar Hinjra, were present.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2023