SARGODHA: The Punjab government has initiated the construction of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha, adjacent to Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital.

Punjab Minister of Communication and Works Sohaib Ahmad Bharth while receiving a briefing on the project said the hospital would be built on an 85-kanal plot within a period of 15 months.

`Besides the basement and ground floor, five floors will be constructed, featuring state-of-the-art machinery,medicalequipment, labs, operation theaters, ICC, CCU, and general wards,` he added.

Over 10 million people in the Sargodha division will have access to medical facilities at the local level. The dilapidated and obsolete old building of the DHQ hospital is being demolished, a process expected to be completed within fifteen days.

On March 7, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz laid the foundation stone of the institute along with Sargodha Medical College on Faisalabad Road, and reviewed the proposed site.

However, it was later pointed out that the selected site was not suitable, and an old buildingof the DHQ hospital was earmarked for this project. Although the demolition work on the said building has started, the provincial minister said that work on the project has commenced.

JAMMERS: Modern signal jammers are being installedin thejails ofthe division, including Sargodha, Shahpur, Mianwali, and Bhakkar.

People in government offices and residential buildings located around the prisons are also likely to be affected, according to residents living close to the jails.

These measures are being taken by the Government of Punjab in view of terrorism concerns. A jail official also stated that these jammers will effectively block satellite signals as well.

TRAINING: The training courses for over 80 sub-inspectors in the Sargodha region have beenpostponedduetothe shortage of police personnel during Muharram.

They have been recalled to assist in maintaining the law and order situation during Muharram.

FIVE KILLED:Five people were killed and seven others injured in a collision between a van and a truck near Nasirabad, Bhakkar, on Tuesday.

According to rescue officials, the van was going to Jhang from Mianwali.