‘Developing backward areas govt’s priority’

* CM says education reform programme extended to 10 years

Staff Report

LAHORE: The process of developing backward and far-flung areas of Punjab will continue on a priority basis, said Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi while addressing a meeting at Jotana, Pind Dadan Khan, on Saturday.

Elahi said that two new dams would be constructed at a cost of Rs 220 million in Jhelum. He said the government was providing funds more than the population ratio of these areas. He said that four small dams had been constructed in Jhelum district over the last three years. He said the government would provide funds to improve the water supply and sewage systems in Pind Dadan Khan. He said the government was taking measures to develop the education sector and an annual fund of Rs 150 million was being provided to every district for this purpose.

The CM said the duration of the education reform programme had been extended to 10 years and the World Bank had described this programme as a role model for others. He said all middle schools in Punjab were being upgraded to secondary level and Rs 10 million would be provided for the provision of education facilities in Government College for Women, Pind Dadan Khan. He said a modern hospital costing Rs 50 million would be built in Khura. He said the three pastures that were given to Chakwal district would be returned to Jhelum district. He also announced that Victoria Bridge in Malikwal would be repaired and extended.

He said PML-backed candidates had won 80 percent seats in the first phase of local elections and a greater percentage was expected in the second phase. The CM said Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf Jotana and his son Chaudhry Muhammad Abid Ashraf Jotana had strengthened the party by joining it and hoped they would help develop Pind Dadan Khan.

Federal Population Welfare Minister Chaudhry Shehbaz Hussain said that the party was growing as office-bearers and members of other political parties were joining the PML and its credit went to Elahi and PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

Abid Jotana said that concerted efforts would be made to organise PML in Pind Dadan Khan.

Federal Population Welfare Minister Chaudhry Shehbaz Hussain, former Jhelum nazim Farrukh Altaf, MPA Nazar Hussain Gondal, Federal Health Minister Naseer Khan, Federal Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq, MPAs Tasneem Nasir, Muhammad Saqlain and Muhammad Ashraf Jotana were present on the occasion.

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