Sindh governor pledges all-out support for expatriate doctors' medical university plan

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has promised on behalf of the present government to support in whatever way he can to materialise the plan of an association of the USA-based expatriate Pakistani medical practitioners to establish a university of health sciences anywhere in Pakistan with an aim to financially assist the prospective Pakistani medical students belonging to underprivileged areas.

Sindh Governor stated this on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the three-day 10th International Medical Conference organised by the Medics International (MI). Founded by a group of USA-based senior doctors of Pakistani origin, the MI, which has now emerged as the United Nations-accredited global healthcare relief organisation, organised the conference to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of its foundation.

"My office is at your disposal; do tell me whatever help you need to establish this university in Pakistan as whether it is allotment of land or any other permission you need, I'll fully assist you in this regard. We have ample land available for such a purpose as do come to us to discuss your proposal and get facilitation of any kind from the government," said the Sindh governor in response to the plan shared by the MI office-bearers earlier on the occasion to establish a medical university in their native country with offer of scholarships for needy students.

The governor urged the Pakistani doctors living and practicing abroad to invest in the country as it was now time for them to payback their motherland. "This country needs you now as the best way to payback your motherland is to bring back your investments here as Pakistan has the ability to safeguard and multiply them," he said.

He said it was wonderful that expatriate community of Pakistani doctors had been doing various welfare and philanthropic initiatives back in their native land like adopting schools and donating ambulances to hospitals. "But this country needs more of your support and for this you have to believe in Pakistan and to entrust it with your investments. This is the best way to fully participate in the progress and development of your native country," he said.

He said it was imperative because Pakistani State had spent billions of rupees to run the system of public sector medical colleges where expenses being borne on each of the student of medical and dental studies were highly subsidised.

The governor said that Pakistani nation believed in doing massive philanthropy by extending heavy financial donations to a number of charities but at the same time they pay less to the state exchequer in terms of payment of taxes.

The governor said that the present government had been doing its best to restore the confidence of Pakistani people in state's system of tax collection so that they start paying their due taxes with the firm belief that their money would remain safe and wouldn't end up in the personal accounts of the rulers as had happened in the past.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019