ISLAMABAD: After ruling PML-N MNAs from Islamabad complained about the inadequate allocation for education and health in their constituencies, MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed from Rawalpindi Cantonment highlighted the lack of health, education and water facilities for the civilian population in cantonment areas.

However, Mr Ahmed thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for projects launched in the cantonment areas, including the GPO underpass, Kalsoom Nawaz Hospital and Najma Hameed Sports Complex.

In his speech in the lower house of parliament during budget debate, the ruling party MNA from NA-55 said there was no facility for the civilian population in the 500-bed Cantonment General Hospital and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board was charging heavy fee from them.

It may be mentioned that the Cantonment General Hospital was refurbished and its capacity increased to 500 beds in 2018 during the tenure of the PML-N government at the centre to provide free healthcare facilities to the civilian population.

Former PML-N prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi provided a grant of Rs570 million on the recommendation of Mr Ahmed, who was also MNA at that time, to upgrade the facility. He directed to attach seven dispensaries of RCB with the hospital to facilitate maximum residents of the cantonment.

Mr Ahmed said there was 10 to 15 per cent quota in federal government schools and colleges for the cantonment civilian population which would be increased to 70 per cent.

“There is no representation of civilian population in the board of directors of FG educational institutions. There is a dire need to add civilians, at least elected members from the cantonment, as members of the board, he added.

The MNA criticised the finance minister without naming him and said there was no funds for Khanpur Dam and the cantonment areas were facing an acute water shortage.

“The finance minister should consult stakeholders before preparing the annual development programme and include a water related project in the budget so people from Rawalpindi Cantonment and Islamabad will get the basic facility,” he said.

Elaborating his points after budget speech, he said the canal form Khanpur Dam to Sangjani was open and theft of water from it had become routine. We have proposed to lay a pipeline from the dam to Sangjani filtration plant so every drop of water could be save and supplied to Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He also demanded the government to provide a share for cantonments in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award so that the cantonment boards would utilise it for the public welfare projects instead of increasing taxes. He said he had also taken up these issues with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and the federal government and they have assured him of working on it.

He said that on the grant of Punjab government, work would be started on Kalsoom Nawaz Hospital at Chur Chowk on Peshawar Road and Najam Hameed Sports Complex on Railways’ land near Dhoke Hassu.

“Punjab government will construct underpasses on Kutchery Chowk and near Race Course Park to make the road a signal-free corridor up to the motorway,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2025