DERA GHAZI KHAN: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched a free livestock distribution initiative to provide rural women with better livelihood opportunities.

The programme was inaugurated at the Sports Complex in Dera Ghazi Khan on Wednesday, where MPA Hanif Pitafi, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Usman Khalid and other officials distributed livestock among 287 women from Dera Ghazi Khan and Kot Chatha tehsils.

The women drew lots to choose between receiving a buffalo or a cow.

Mr Pitafi said Ms Nawaz has gifted livestock to deserving women across 11 districts of southern Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan, with a dedicated budget of two billion rupees. To cover livestock feed, a card-based subsidy of ten thousand rupees per month will be provided for two years. There will also be a one-year restriction on selling the distributed animals.

DC Khalid said that over 6,000 rural women in the district registered through a mobile app and an automated transparent lottery system selected more than 400 deserving women, including divorcees, widows and other eligible beneficiaries, to receive free livestock.

Additional Director of Livestock Dr Ghulam Nizamuddin and Additional Director Dr Hassan Mujtaba said thatin the first phase, 158 women from Dera Ghazi Khan tehsil and 129 from Kot Chhatha tehsil received livestock — 123 cows and 102 buffaloes.

Additional Secretary Livestock South Punjab Farooq Qamar, Dr Hassan Mujtaba, and others also addressed the ceremony.

AIDS SCREENING CENTRE: Following reports of AIDS spreading among children in Taunsa Sharif, South Punjab Special Secretary of the Department of Health and Population Muhammad Shahbaz Hussain conducted a surprise visit to Taunsa Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital on Wednesday.

He inspected the AIDS screening centre and other healthcare facilities. He said the visit was carried out on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure the provision of quality public health services.

Accompanied by Deputy Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Tahir, Director General Health Services Dr Syed Ali Mehdi and other officials, Mr Hussain reviewed emergency services and the screening centre. He checked the availability of medicines, verified the attendance of doctors and staff, and assessed the screening process for AIDS.

The special secretary interacted with patients to inquire about the medical and other facilities provided to them. He directed the hospital administration to ensure the use of sterilised syringes and medical equipment to prevent infections.

Mr Hussain instructed officials to adopt international standards in the screening process. The medical superintendent briefed that, besides hospital visitors, awareness campaigns on AIDS prevention are being conducted at the community level. All suspected patients arriving at the hospital are being screened as part of preventive measures.

He called for a strict and indiscriminate crackdown on quackery to prevent the spread of AIDS and hepatitis. He also directed officials to utilise all available resources to ensure timely medical services at people’s doorsteps.

A couple of days ago, Health and Population Secretary Nadia Saqib visited the hospital, where 106 children from Taunsa Sharif are registered at the AIDS control centre in Dera Ghazi Khan.

She had ordered the suspension of the district health officer of DG Khan, the deputy district health officer of Taunsa, and the Taunsa THQ hospital medical superintendent for negligence in their duties.

FORCE: Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s women safety vision, a special bicycle force has been deployed in markets, shopping malls, and bazaars across Dera Ghazi Khan to ensure the protection of women during Eid shopping.

The initiative aims to safeguard women from harassment, theft, and other security threats while they shop.

The bicycle force will remain on high alert to promptly address any untoward incidents, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for families.

DPO Syed Ali said strict implementation of these special measures for women’s safety would be ensured.

“The enhanced police presence will boost citizens’ sense of security, allowing them to shop without fear during Eid preparations,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025