TIMERGARA, June 11: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that the government is determined to remove the socio-economic disparities through the provision of education facilities at every nook and corner of the province.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Malakand University at Chakdarra on Monday, he said the provincial government was set to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people through the spread of education.

“We have brought education to the doorsteps of the people and are determined to remove socio-economic disparities,” he said.

“In fact,” he said, “education is the most effective mean to eliminate the darkness of ignorance from the society.”

About the performance of the government, the governor said that instead of spending huge amount on developing new infrastructure, the government had been utilizing the existing facilities which were lying unused for the last many years.

The provision of a vast building and a spacious campus for the Malakand University was made possible because of the keen interest shown by the federal commerce minister, Abdul Razzaq Daud, in the establishment of this institution, he said.

He expressed the hope that the institution would prove an effective mean to remove hurdles in the development of education sector in the Malakand division.

The governor assured that the provincial government would extend all possible support to the newly-established institution to make it one of the best seats of learning in the province.

Responding to the points raised by Malakand University Vice-Chancellor Syed Jehandad Shah, the governor said that every possible effort would be made to provide Sui gas facility to the campus. As for construction of a by-pass road and suspension bridges, he said the provincial government would take necessary initiatives in consultation with the respective district Nazimeen in this respect.

Referring to the future programmes of the university, Iftikhar Hussain Shah said that the government had already decided to establish its second campus at Shringal, which, he hoped, would become a unique centre of research in the province.

The governor also urged philanthropists and different organizations to play due role in the promotion of education by establishing schools and colleges.

On the occasion, provincial Minister for Education Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani said that education had been allocated 20 per cent in the budget, out of which 80 per cent would go to the elementary sector. He said that 15 degree colleges, including seven for girls, and three universities had been established during the past one year.

In his address of welcome Vice-Chancellor Syed Jehandad Shah said that initially six disciplines had been introduced in the university wherein a total of 200 students had been selected, out of 1,230 candidates.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel, adviser to governor on IT, PIDC Chairman Zahid Hussain, district Nazim Lower Dir Dr Yaqoob, district Nazim Upper Dir Sahibzada Tariqullah, district Nazim Swat Dr Mehboobur Rehman and Malakand Nazim Humayun Khan.