THATHA: August 8,2023: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the establishment of Liaquat University of Medical Sciences’ International Medical College and Technological College in the historical city of Thatta is the fulfillment of another promise the provincial government of PPP had made.
“This college is bound to open new vistas of medical education and employment in the entire Lar region,”.
This he said while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly established International Medical College and Technological College by LUMS.
The ceremony was attended by MPAs Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Special Assistants to CM Sadiq Memon, Riaz Shah Shirazi, notables- Shafqat Shah Shirazi, VC LUMS Prof. Ikram Ujjain, deans, directors, and faculty members of the university.
Mr. Shah said that the establishment of the International College is a significant milestone to strengthen higher education and healthcare systems.
“The concept of the International College is in line with the global economic development based on the `Knowledge economy’.
He gave examples of developed countries like the UK and the USA and said that their economy was largely based on their Higher Educational Institutes.
Murad Shah said that the Institute was not only a landmark in the improvement of higher education in Sindh but also has the potential of considerable contribution towards the economic development of the region. “Our mission is to produce competent and skilled healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, and technical staff,” he said and added that the graduates from this Institute would not only serve locally but also international graduates join the international job market, which would bring a good name to our province.
Mr. Shah appreciated the tireless efforts of Vice Chancellor LUMHS and all those who were involved in the planning and execution of this project. Their hard work and dedication made this day a reality.
The CM expressed his gratitude to his party leadership, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for their unwavering support for a stronger and healthier society.
Murad Ali Shah said that LUMS International College offers five-year programs such as MBBS, Doctor of Physiotherapy, and Doctor of Pharmacy.
The four-year bachelor programs to be offered include Thatta campus include BS Radiologic Technology (BRT), BS Medical Laboratory Technology
(BSMLT), BS Radiologic Technology (BSRT), BS Forensic Science in Forensic
Biology (BSFB), BS Forensic Science in Forensic
Chemistry & Toxicology, Associate of Applied Sciences in
Radiologic Technology (AASRT), Bachelor’s Associate Physician (BSAP).
The one-year Diploma program Diploma CT Technology, Diploma MRI Technology, Diploma Blood Banking & Transfusion.
Media talk: Talking to the media the chief minister announced a compensation of Rs1 million each for those killed in the Hazara Train accident at Sarhari, near Nawabshah. He also announced compensation for the injured, and severely injured at a rate of Rs200,000 and Rs500,000 each. “It was an unfortunate incident which claimed innocent lives,” he said and added he personally went to the site and then visited the injured at the hospital.
To a question, he said that he did not know whether it was a terrorism incident or a technical problem. “Pakistan Railways is conducting an inquiry and the Railway Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq has already announced the inquiry,” he said.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the census approved by the CCI would not affect the assembly seats. “Sindh has 61 national assemblies and even after approval of the census the number of seats will remain the same,” he said.
Murad Shah brushed aside the impression that the delimitation exercise would take time and general elections would be delayed. “I don’t think that it [delimitation] would be a gruesome exercise, I think it would be done well in time and the election would be held within a period of three months,” he said.
To a question about the caretaker chief minister, the CM said “Still I am working in the office. “We are going on three months’ leave to our people [election] to give them our five years performance,” he said and added he was sure the people of the province would again vote PPP to power.
Murad Shah said that Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be the next prime minister of Pakistan. “We will form a government in Balochistan – in the past, PPP has been forming government in KPK,” he recalled and said again PPP would be able to form government there [in KPK].
Mr. Shah said that PPP would take a good number of seats from Punjab, that’s why he was sure that Chairman Bilawal would be the next prime minister.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the FWO had constructed Karachi-Thatta dual carriageway, and now the road has developed craters at different spots due to heavy rains. “We have discussed the matter with our partners [FWO] and the road will be repaired,” he said.
Abdul Rasheed Channa
Media Consultant to CM Sindh