June 30, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1429

GUJAR KHAN, June 29: Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said a university and four degree colleges would be set up in Gujar Khan tehsil soon.

Speaking at a public gathering late Saturday night, Mr Ashraf said the proposed Potohar University would be established in the vicinity of Gujar Khan city.

Similarly, the Punjab government will open three colleges for women in remote villages of Gujar Khan tehsil, while the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) will build a college in the city.

According to the minister, the government also plans to add an academic block to the existing women’s college and name it after slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

He also announced that gas supply to villages located within 10km radius of five oil and gas fields in the area would be ensured by the federal government.

Mr Ashraf said provision of clean drinking water was the top priority of the government, adding that water purification plants would be installed in each union council.

Special emphasis will be placed on eradication of unemployment and educated youth will be provided with jobs, Mr Ashraf said.

He said an underpass at railway crossing in Gujar Khan city would be constructed soon at a cost of Rs4.5 million to ensure smooth flow of traffic. He also announced early repair of roads and streets around commercial places in the city.

Owners of over 200 kiosks complained to the minister that they were not able to get electricity connections due to the hurdles created by the Town Municipal Administration, on which the minister directed the authorities to ensure installation of electricity meters at these kiosks within two weeks of filing of applications.

The federal minister criticised his political rivals in the constituency, and accused them of ignoring development in the area.

He also directed the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) officials to raze a wall around the grid station, as people complained that it was built 40 years ago by encroaching land and it hindered movement of the locals.

He asked the superintending engineer, Rasheed Gandapur, to redefine the boundaries of the grid station after leaving sufficient passage for the public.

Meanwhile, the minister also inaugurated his office and public secretariat in Gujar Khan city.

GAS PROJECT: Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Sunday inaugurated a project to supply gas to Narali Kaswal and Changa Bangial villages, located some 10km from Gujar Khan city.

Addressing a large number of people at the ground-breaking ceremony, he said the PPP government was committed to providing basic facilities to the masses, adding that gas facility would also be extended to Bewal, Qazian and Mandra towns of Gujar Khan.

Earlier, the minister distributed cheques among widows and poor women at Sangar House in his native village of Dhoke Amb. He also addressed a public gathering in Bhaata village near Mandra.