LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said all stakeholders must work together to ensure social justice in the society.
In her message on the World Day of Social Justice on Friday, she said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government firmly believes in the principles of social justice, adding that ensuring justice and equality remained its top priority.
She said Islam strongly advocated social justice, equality and peaceful coexistence, and highlighted that the teachings of holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided a timeless message of fairness and compassion for humanity.
She said societies lacking social justice lagged behind in the race for progress, adding that justice and equality formed the foundation of any civilised society.
She noted that the widening economic gap between the rich and poor was giving rise to social challenges, and initiatives such as Minority Card and Himmat Card programmes reflected tangible progress towards achieving the goal of social justice.
Meanwhile, the Maryam Nawaz Stroke Management Programme helped a 45-year-old man recover after a severe paralytic attack, officials said. Muhammad Imran, an employee of Pakistan Post, was rushed to the Services Hospital Lahore on Friday after suffering a stroke that left him unable to speak, with the left side of his body paralysed and his arm, hand and leg completely immobile.
According to doctors, he was brought to the Emergency Stroke Management Centre within four hours of the attack, where treatment was initiated immediately. He was administered an injection of Tenecteplase (TNK), a latest clot-busting medicine used for stroke patients. Officials said the injection, which cost between Rs350,000 and Rs400,000, was being provided free of charge to patients under special directives of the chief minister.
The doctors said that within a few hours of receiving the injection, Imran regained movement in his limbs and was able to speak again. Expressing gratitude, the patient thanked the CM and the medical team for providing timely treatment and free medication, saying the CM programme gave him a “second healthy life”.
The officials said more than 700 stroke patients across Punjab have recovered through the programme so far, while the government has approved the establishment of stroke management facilities in all district headquarters hospitals, with neurologists to be appointed at each centre.
