RAWALPINDI, Dec 12: The Punjab government has doubled the allocation of funds for Rawalpindi District under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme (KPP) from Rs170 million to Rs340 million.

This was stated by Governor Lt-Gen (Rtd) Khalid Maqbool while speaking at a public gathering at the office of District Nazim here on Wednesday.

The increase in the KPP allocation, the governor said, would help the district government in solving the local problems.

He said the provincial government was giving education and health top priority.

Gen Maqbool said a large amount had been allocated for rehabilitation of schools, teachers’ training and revamping of examinations system. These steps, he believed, would help in improving the quality of education at schools and bringing their pass-outs at par with those of any of the high quality institutions.

Replying to the Nazim’s demand for filling of 2300 teachers’ vacancies, he said, a ban on contractual hiring would be lifted soon. “We might not be able to fill all the posts, but the necessary requirement would be met,” he said.

“There is also a proposal that teachers may be hired for specific schools so that they do not seek transfer and serve with commitment”, he said.

Similarly, Gen Maqbool said vacancies in health department would be filled and the equipment as well as medicine needs of major hospitals would be met.

Gen Maqbool, while discussing the poor law and order situation, said the government had spent a lot of resources on the police department and expected of it to deliver. He said there was no administrative and political pressure on police, therefore no excuse would be accepted for failure by police in controlling heinous crimes.

He called on the people to shun extremism and be moderate in their beliefs. He stressed the need for initiating inter-faith and inter-sect dialogue and instead of using the mosques for perpetuating hatred feelings these should be converted into welfare centres.

The governor promised all possible help for the district government in finding a permanent solution to the Nullah Leh problem.

ADDRESS TO THE RCCI: Meanwhile speaking to the members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Gen Maqbool said government’s support for international drive against terrorism had helped restore investors confidence as business people from all over the world were ready to invest here.