BAHAWALPUR: The Punjab government is seriously considering a proposal to link parts of Bahawalpur division with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to boost the trading and commercial activities in this region of south Punjab.

This was stated by Punjab Energy Minister Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik while addressing traders here on Saturday.

The minister said the Punjab government was examining a proposal to link Rahim Yar Khan Khan, Bahawalpur, Chishtian and Bahawalnagar through Kasur and Lahore with the CPEC.

He assured former president of Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Chaudhry Abdul Jabbar that Bahawalpur would be linked with Sukkur-Multan Motorway, and provision of funds for the establishment of a new industrial estate here, besides a new electricity feeder for the existing small industrial estate.

The minister also inaugurated a solar energy plant at the government primary school at 8/ BC village near the city.

On the occasion, Dr Malik said so far as many as 1,000 government schools had been switched to the solar energy in the district, while the remaining would also be provided solar energy plants, saving million of rupees under the head of power bills.

He said the government also intended to transfer almost all educational institutions, hospitals and health units across the province to solar power during the coming years.

The minister had laid foundation stone of a 2.5 Megawatt solar power project at Islamia University, Bahawalpur, (IUB) on Friday, which would annually generate 3.906 million units.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2021