SARGODHA, June 29: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi is keen to develop the district.

This was stated by Punjab Minister for Irrigation and Power Chaudhry Aamer Sultan Cheema on Sunday. He was speaking at a reception hosted by the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr Cheema said that the chief minister made Kot Momin a tehsil, announced elevation of various educational institutions in Sargodha and expressed his willingness to promote industry in the area along motorway.

The minister said that work on Sial Mor interchange on Sargodha-Lahore Road would start within four months. An industrial zone would be set up shortly in the area.

He would also request the chief minister to ask the federal government to start a non-stop express train from Sargodha to Karachi.

He said that he would also ensure provision of more facilities for the chamber. A plot for the office of the SCCI would also be allotted.

The condition of roads would also be improved and the Sargodha bypass road will be constructed in the next fiscal year.

He urged the members of the SCCI to focus on export so that foreign exchange could be earned.

Earlier, SCCI President Sheikh Abid Mahmood apprised the minister of the non-cooperative attitude of Wapda and district government.

He also criticized the proposed taxation by the district government.