HYDERABAD, Sept 14: A project to expand the Shamsul Ulema Daudpota Public Library was launched by Sindh Culture and Tourism Minister Shabir Ahmad Qaimkhani here on Monday.

Laying the foundation stone of the project, Mr Qaimkhani said the Rs5.4777 million project included construction of an additional reading hall, external development, separate transformer facility, provision of furniture and air-conditioning of the reading hall.

He said expansion of the library was aimed at developing reading habit among the youth, especially students, and making available more research material on different topics and subjects.

He said on completion of the project, readers of Hyderabad would enjoy modern facilities available in other parts of the country. Replying to a question about other projects of the culture and tourism department, the minister said Rs168 million was being spent on two projects of the department.

Giving details, he said out of sanctioned amount of Rs156 million for development of the Gorakh hill station, Rs130 million was being utilized on extension of the communication network and Rs26 million on supply of electricity to the hill station from the Wahi Feeder and construction of a mosque and a rest house at the site.

He said another development project of the Kheenjhar Lake that would cost Rs12 million had also been taken into hand. He said the project included construction of a watch-tower, repair and renovation of old and new residential huts and provision of ambulance.

Replying to a question about Moenjodaro, the minister expressed concern over deteriorating condition of the archaeological site and held its management responsible for it.

He suggested that the federal government should hand over administrative control of Moenjodaro to the Sindh government to preserve the site. Earlier, Mr Qaimkhani paid surprise visits to the Rehabilitation Centre for Physical Handicap, Darul Atfaal, Socio-economic Centre, Darul Aman and the Mehran Arts Council.

Speaking at the rehabilitation centre, he said the centre would be given necessary equipment for information technology education. He said the Sindh government had already provided 10 computers to the centre.

During his visit to the arts council, he said the council would be developed and made functional, adding that it would be brought at par with the Karachi Arts Council not only to encourage cultural activities but also to provide entertainment facilities to people of Hyderabad and interior of Sindh. DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed and Sindh Museum director Shahzor Ali Tebani were also present on the occasion.

SPLA: The Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association held a protest demonstration at the gate of the Muslim Science College here on Tuesday against the Sindh education minister.