LAHORE: The oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) Center and Punjab was held at a local hotel in Lahore on Thursday. Punjab Provincial Minister for Health Khawaja Imran Nazir attended the event as chief guest and administered the oath to the Center and Punjab members, including those from the Islamabad region.
Speaking on the occasion, the provincial health minister said that pharmacists are a vital pillar of the healthcare system and play a key role in ensuring the availability of safe and effective medicines.
He stated that pharmacists had played a major role in his own professional development and praised their contribution to the Punjab government’s efforts against counterfeit drugs. He added that the revision of Schedule “G” was under consideration and that the government would consider new legislation under drug rules for the betterment of pharmacists.
The minister also acknowledged senior pharmacist Noor Muhammad Mehr, describing him as an active and courageous voice for healthcare reforms, and urged pharmacists to take an active role in policy formulation and implementation.
A large number of pharmacists from across the country, along with Center and provincial representatives, attended the ceremony.
Newly elected office-bearers from the federal capital and Punjab took oath, while organizational matters, future priorities, and regulatory reforms were discussed.
The newly elected PPA Central Cabinet includes President Muhammad Alamgir Rao, Vice President Imran Ahmed Mumtaz, General Secretary Prof Dr Furqan Khurshid Hashmi, Joint Secretary Faraz Ashraf, Finance Secretary Ahmed Jawad Qureshi, Press Secretary Mirza Tasawur Baig, and Executive Members Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah and Usman Ghani Salmani.
The PPA Punjab Cabinet, elected under the supervision of the election commission, comprises President Prof Dr Syed Atif Raza, Vice President Dr Kaleemullah, General Secretary Dr Umair Akram Dar, Joint Secretary Bilal Yasin, Finance Secretary Dr Mehtab Ahmed Khan, and Press Secretary Abdul Majeed Bhatti.
The PPA Punjab Executive Members are Muhammad Jahanzaib Wattoo, Ubaidullah, Muhammad Zeeshan, Bashir Waqas Zafar, Muhammad Saqib Saeed, Junaid Qaiser, Syed Naveed, Tabassum, and Salamat Ali, while the women executive members include Rabia Kanwal, Mehreen Naz, Asma Fareed Khan, Mehwish Ayaz, and Samira Hanif.
From the Islamabad region, Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, Shifa Khan Bangash, Abdul Aleem Awan, Taj Mutajani, Dr Abdul Wahab, Zahida, and Syed Ismat Shah took oath in various capacities, while from Balochistan two male members and one female member representing Progressive Pharmacists and the Young Pharmacists Association also took oath.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the organizers thanked the chief guest and participants and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the professional welfare of pharmacists, safeguarding public health, and promoting a quality medicines system in the country.
