KP govt renames Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital in Swat

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has renamed the Kidney hospital in Swat named after the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

A notification was also issued by the KP government and sent to Health Department for renaming. The decision was taken during a session of the provincial cabinet on July 12.

The cabinet approved the renaming of Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital as Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Hospital, Swat. The hospital has been named after the former Wali of Swat who was born in 1908.

The provincial government clarified that no official institution, road, or street will be named after any politician, government servant or public representative while he/she is still alive.

KP Government has renamed “Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital Swat” as “Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Hospital, Swat”. The latter was the Wali of Swat, born in 1908. No Government establishment will be named after a Politician, while he/she is still alive; KP Government has made it clear! pic.twitter.com/1URhN7GWIe

— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 17, 2021

On July 12, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to rename the Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital in Swat. The decision was taken during a session of the provincial cabinet. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had issued a statement to discuss renaming the hospital in the meeting.

After the cabinet meeting, the provincial government’s spokesperson Kamran Bangash told media that according to the law, a government organization cannot be named after a living individual.

Meanwhile, the PML-N has vowed to resist the decision. The party has maintained funds for the hospital were not used from the national exchequer but were raised through various donations.

A day ago, PML-N Leader Amir Muqam warned the move will have repercussions. “If the government tries to change the name of the hospital, public backlash will follow,” he said.

“Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had not established the kidney hospital through government funds. The Rs700 million was arranged from Punjab Hospitals Trust funds while Rs50 million was donated by Ishaq Dar from his own pocket,” Amir Muqam said.

He asked why Imran Khan had named Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre after his late mother instead of any national hero. Amir Muqam said Nawaz Sharif had allotted land besides a donation of Rs500 million for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital.

He warned of strong resistance if the government changed the name of Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital in Swat and also announced to challenge the decision in the Peshawar High Court.