Shahbaz Sharif apologizes the blinds

Lahore: A delegation of blind persons led by General Secretary Pakistan Association of the Blind, Aamir Ashraf met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today.

Talking to the delegation, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that blind persons deserve special attention and love of every citizen of the society.

The Chief Minister said that he was deeply grieved at the tragic incident that took place the other day and wants to apologize on behalf of administration and police. He said that such a sad incident should not have happened. He said that it was responsibility of concerned Ministers, Secretaries, administration and police officers to take all possible steps to avoid such an incident but the matter was mishandled.

Shahbaz Sharif said he was on a visit to Qatar when this incident took place but as soon as he got information, he took immediate notice and ordered action against the persons responsible for this tragic incident. He said that Ministers and secretaries of Special Education and Social Welfare departments should have immediately contacted the office-bearers of Pakistan Association of the Blind and taken steps for resolving this issue through negotiations but it is lamentable that the concerned departments and their officers did not discharge their responsibility and this incident took place.

The Chief Minister said that the matter was mishandled by police and administration and those involved in this matter will be awarded stern punishment. He also expressed his indignation over the failure to hold talks regarding the demands of the blind persons and said that administration should have immediately come into action to check this incident. He said that this issue could be resolved amicably but he was disappointed with the attitude of the administration and police.

Shahbaz Sharif assured blind persons of solution of their problems and directed that concerned ministers, chief secretary and secretaries of concerned departments should look into the demands of the blind persons and submit a report within 24 hours. He said that the persons responsible for this sad incident will not be able to escape punishment. He said that besides initiating legal proceedings against the guilty persons, stern departmental action will also be taken. Office- bearers of Pakistan Association of the Blind also submitted an application to the Chief Minister regarding their demands.

They also thanked the Chief Minister for his assurance to resolve their problems as well as his sympathetic attitude and said that they wanted to meet Shahbaz Sharif as he redresses the grievances of every complaint that comes to him.

Provincial Ministers Asif Saeed Manais, Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Haroon Sultan, Spokesman Punjab Government Zaeem Hussain, Qadri, Chief Secretary, IG Police, secretaries of concerned departments, CCPO, Commissioner and District Coordination Officer Lahore were also present on the occasion.