PESHAWAR, April 20: The Vice-Chancellor of New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, Professor G.K. Chadha, has said that exchange of visits at the university level would prove helpful in improving the educational and research activities in the two countries. He made this observation during a meeting with NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman at the Governor House on Wednesday.

The governor welcomed the distinguished guest, who is on a goodwill visit to Pakistan at the invitation of University of Peshawar.

He highlighted the historical and geographical importance of the province, especially its capital Peshawar, an official handout issued here on Wednesday said.

The governor informed Mr Chadha that the historic city had experienced a lot of changes after remaining a part of great civilizations. Because of its rich cultural heritage, particularly the Gandhara civilization, it enjoys unprecedented fame and respect the world over, the governor added.

Prof Chadha said he was highly impressed by the hospitality of the people of Peshawar.

The professor, who was born in a village near Muzzaffarabad, said he had a natural attachment with the area and its people.

In a meeting with town nazims of Peshawar, the NWFP governor stressed the need of making concerted efforts to provide better living conditions and civic amenities to the public.

He declared that he would extend his fullest possible support and assistance to the local government in this respect.

He said the provincial metropolis deserved special treatment. The nazims raised various issued during the meeting. The governor, however, conceded that the lack of financial resources was a major hurdle in the completion of mega projects.

Talking about certain other difficulties being faced by the local government institutions with regard to smooth functioning, the governor said that they would confront problems as the system was new. He said he would approach the quarters concerned, especially the National Reconstruction Bureau, in this connection.

About civic amenities in Peshawar, the governor said the historic city required devoted efforts and sufficient resources to improve the living conditions and to preserve the buildings and sites of archaeological importance.

Referring to the problem of sewerage and encroachment, he desired that the elders of the city be involved on a voluntary basis to tackle them.