MURREE: The historic Punjab House — which covers an area of 98 kanals — has become the property of Kohsar University Murree with all its assets and benefits, for a period of three years, this was stated by a senior member of the Board of Revenue, Punjab.

MNA Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, while talking to Dawn, said: “According to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the historic government buildings are being used for the public and collective interest instead of the luxuries of politicians and officials. Punjab House Murree is a great example of this.”

He said it will be handed over to the Tourism Department of Kohsar University where students will be given practical and theoretical education about tourism, adding, establishment of the university is a great achievement of the government for the people of Kohsar including Murree, Hazara, Kotli Satyan and Azad Kashmir.

“Every effort will be made to ensure that in Punjab House, already being carried out tourism and accommodation facilities are not affected. Kohsar University will present this facility in a modern and better way than before and will also work as an excellent practical laboratory for the students.

“Classrooms will be set up in one block of Punjab House while other blocks will be made available to tourists in a modern style under the supervision of the university which will also be a source of additional income for the university,” said Mr. Abbasi.

Degrees in all traditional disciplines including management sciences, natural sciences, accountancy, history, law, forestry and horticulture will be offered at the university and effort is being made to start regular classes in February 2021.

Educationist and PhD scholar Kamran Khan said after more than two years Punjab House was handed over to Kohsar University, adding, it is ridiculous that tourist activities will be continued in a university as that would hamper educational activities.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2020