KARACHI, Sept 14: Interior Minister Lt-Gen Moinuddin Haider on Saturday asked Karachi University vice-chancellor and the rangers posted at the campus to restore peace and take steps to restart academic activities at the university.

Visiting the under-construction building of Dr A.Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, he expressed satisfaction over the pace of construction work and assured the authorities of his cooperation in resolving the issues, confronting the university for initiation of the institute.

He also issued directives to the administration of the institute for improving working condition and standard of research, besides establishing accommodation facilities for the faculty and the lower staff and a mosque in the premises. On a complaint by the vice-president of the institute, Moinuddin Haider assured him that he would talk to the KESC MD for early provision and concession in electricity connection charges for the institute.

Vice-chairman of the institute, S.M. Farooq, informed the minister that the first phase of the institute had been completed and that accommodations for the faculty were being constructed.

President and chairman of the board of governors of the institute, Dr A.Q. Khan, told newsmen that the institute would start functioning from December.

So far, Rs140 million, collected through donations, have been spent on the institute, and the government had also provided a grant of Rs198 million.

He said the institute is spread over 22 acres, and after completion it would be considered as a major breakthrough in research in genetic diseases and agriculture in the country.

“During the first year, we will enrol about 15-20 students for conducting research in genetic diseases and crops, besides working on improvement of agricultural products,” he said and maintained that the institute would be a model for research and development for the Islamic world.

To a question, he said half of the faculty would be hired by the management of the institute, whereas half of the teachers would be borrowed from the University of Karachi.—PPI/APP