KHAIRPUR, Aug 26: Vice- chancellor of the Shah Abdul Latif University, Dr A. R. Malik, has said that a Rs3.5 billion budget has been approved for the university by the Higher Education Commission to set up new departments and other buildings.

Speaking at a press conference held in his office here on Thursday, he said that funds would be utilized to set up new departments and buildings, including residential accommodations, grid station, 10-bedded health centre, and three student hostel - one each for girls, boys and foreigners.

Shopping centre, sports complex, marriage hall, etc., would also be erected under the five-year project, he said and added that laboratory equipment worth Rs200 million would be purchased, and the university would be connected to the internet next month.

Regarding the fate of the Shadi Shaheed campus project, he said that the project had been closed officially, and as such, the university authorities had been instructed to demolish the buildings of the campus and auction all of the material.

He said that they were avoiding any action in this regard as the case was pending before the National Accountability Bureau, however, 800 acres of the Shadi Shaheed land was being brought under cultivation, where date trees would be planted.

The university was also setting up a nursery at a cost of Rs30 million, in which, 20 date varieties would be nurtured for sale to farmers on cheap rates, he concluded.