PESHAWAR: 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 on Monday. 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.
Bangash also apprised about other decisions taken during the cabinet meeting. He said that a committee has been constituted under the Child Protection Act to increase penalties and fines and will submit a report accordingly.
The provincial cabinet has also approved the annual report of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority. The spokesperson said the government will also form a committee to resolve the financial problems of universities.
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.
