RAWALPINDI, Oct 15: Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool on Friday directed the University of Arid Agriculture (UAA) to open its sub- campuses in Chakwal and Khushab districts to provide an easy access to the students of the respective areas.

He was speaking as chief guest at the 5th convocation of the university. Pro-Chancellor of the university, Punjab Agriculture Minister Muhammad Arshad Lodhi, and Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Attaur Rehman were also present on the occasion.

"We have reached a critical stage and with the shrinking of water resources in the coming time, arid agriculture will be the mainstay of the country to meet its staple food requirements," Khalid Maqbool emphasised.

Chakwal and Khushab districts being centres of arid agriculture in Punjab have to be provided with the required knowledge base and by setting up its campuses there, the university can effectively play its role in providing human resource in this sector.

"The Punjab government will provide land in these districts and within three months the first campus in Chakwal district will be ready to offer admissions to the local students," Mr Maqbool said while replying to a query after his address.

Interestingly, India, meets 70 per cent of its livestock needs from the arid areas by applying new techniques, he quoted. Pakistan, he said, being an agrarian country and bulk of its labour working in the agriculture sector, needs to focus on this field.

Speaking to the graduating students and faculty of the university, Gen Maqbool said: "You people have a role to play in the future development of the country by leading the farming community of the country and providing them with the best possible help."

Being appreciative of the HEC chairman, the governor said: "Since his taking the charge of higher education, our universities are giving an absolutely different look, where students are more concerned about their studies than politics or other such activities."

At tea, when his attention was drawn towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, he said investigations were underway into the recent tragic incidents in Sialkot and Multan and culprits will be given an exemplary punishment.

During the holy month of Ramazan, he said, the Punjab government had taken special measures for security during the religious congregations. He also awarded medals to the position- holders of various disciplines.

Dr Atta talked about various initiatives the HEC had taken over the last few years in bringing the higher education sector on a par with international standards.