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Summary
Dunya News unearthed a millions of dollars corruption in purchase of angiography and other equipments for more than double the price for Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, Lahore.According to Dunya News sources, it is known that angiography machinery at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital has been bought through commission mafia for 0.9 million dollars. While Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore bought the same Toshiba machine along with 30 beds and stretchers in half the price, which was 0.4 million dollars. In Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, another 0.1 million dollars were spent in buying 20 lead hangers; where as only 2 such hangers are required in a major hospital and they cost only 20 thousand rupees. In all this, national treasury has experienced a loss of more than 0.5 million dollars. In Punjab, these social security hospitals work under the provincial ministry of manpower and labour; where as all the rest of hospitals fall under ministry of health.Meanwhile, Minister for Labor and Manpower Ashraf Sohna confirmed the irregularities of billions of rupees in the hospital equipment purchase. Sohna also maintained that he would stand down from his post, in case the allegations remain unproved. He said that he was the first minister who uncovered corruption in his ministry. He said that he asked President Zardari many times to quit Punjab government. The commissioner for Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital Sher Alam Mehsud has said that if these allegations are proved right, then he will be ready to face any sort of charges; where as provincial minister for manpower and labour Ashraf Sohna said that he will resign if these allegations are not proved. Ensuing the airing of the report on Dunya News, the Purchase Director of the said hospital Dr Ilyas has been suspended while Sohna demanded action against two DMG officers Captain (r) Sher Aalam Mehsud and Bilal Butt regarding the embezzlement. Shahbaz Sharif forms probe bodyWhen contacted, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told Dunya TV that taking a strict notice of the issue, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sahrif has formed a 3-member probe committee to look into the corruption allegations. The committee would present its report to the CM by Wednesday. The committee comprised DG Anti-Corruption Kazim Malik, Chief Executive PIC, Prof Dr Azhar and member inspection team Irfan Ali. The Minister said that the accused would be taken to task.
