LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 19: Educationists and political leaders here have launched efforts for establishment of a university in Lakki Marwat district.

They said that in view of growing population the establishment of a university was urgently needed to promote higher education in the district. They were speaking at a function here on Saturday.

The meeting was organised by Professionals Marwat Group, which had launched a campaign through social media to bring local politicians affiliated with different political parties and people from other walks of life on a single platform to make serious efforts for establishment of a university in the district.

“After visiting several foreign universities in connection with research-based education an idea came to my mind to initiate efforts for establishing a varsity in my native Lakki Marwat district,” said Prof Jameel Marwat. He said that he had already prepared and sent the concept papers to the higher education commission. The HEC has handed over the papers to a feasibility committee.

He said that the feasibility committee in its recent meeting discussed the matter and forwarded it to the quarters concerned of ministry of planning and development, Islamabad. “Now the P&D officials will approach the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa higher education department for comments about setting up of a university in Lakki Marwat,” he said.

On this occasion, Bacha Khan University Charsadda vice-chancellor Prof Fazal Raheem Marwat appreciated the youths for the campaign they launched through social media for the establishment of university.

JUI-F MPAs Munawar Khan Marwat, Anwar Hayat Marwat and Sher Afzal Marwat and PTI’s regional vice-president Salman Saleem Marwat also spoke on the occasion. They said that they were united for the cause of university.

They said that they would ask the federal and provincial governments and leadership of their respective parties to set up a university in Lakki Marwat. The lawmakers also promised to raise the issue on the floor of provincial assembly.

Mohammad Aslam Khan, head of Marwat Qaumi Jirga, offered to provide 3,000 kanals free of cost for the university.