BAHAWALPUR, Aug 17: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has said that sui gas will be provided to eight tehsils of three districts at a total cost of Rs3 billion during the next three years.

He was addressing the heads of government departments at Bahawalpur Circuit House here on Tuesday. The heads briefed the governor about their respective departments performance in the area.

The governor said eight tehsils of Bahawalnagar, Vehari and Pakpattan were included in the gas project expansion programme. Mepco Chief Executive Muhammad Abbas informed Khalid Maqbool that the Wapda utilized a sum of Rs480 million on its projects last year in the area while Rs700 million were being spent on the projects during the current financial year.

Mr Maqbool directed the Cholistan Development Authority and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) to provide loans to the people of Cholistan for the promotion of livestock. Earlier, at an open court at the Wapda Complex in Ahmedpur East, the governor issued directives on people's complaints.

He also presided over the meeting of the board of governors of Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur and approved establishment of its girls campus at a cost of Rs80 million.