RAWALPINDI, March 5: The Government Postgraduate Viqarunnisa College for Women will be given degree-awarding status in the current year. This was stated by Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while speaking at the annual prize distribution ceremony of the college here on Monday.

He said he would try to obtain university status for the college that would be second women university in Rawalpindi after Fatima Jinnah Women University established eight years ago. The university will start functioning this year, he added.

The minister reiterated his promise to construct an auditorium in the college soon. He said he wanted to have 100 literacy rate in Rawalpindi and that could be attained only by promoting women’s education.

The minister said work on the expressway project costing Rs22 billion would be inaugurated by President General Pervaiz Musharraf on March 23.

The principal of the college, Rashida Shoaib also spoke on the occasion.

Medals and certificates were given to the successful students and faculty members who participated in extra- and co-curricular activities during the 2005-2007 session.—A Reporter