DERA ISMAIL KHAN, July 13: About 327 kanals of government land has been transferred to the NWFP health department for the construction of Gomal Medical College (GMC).

The measurement of the land, near the under-construction Mufti Mehmood memorial hospital, was witnessed on Friday by NWFP Revenue, Excise  and Taxation Minister Aminullah Khan Ghandapur and GMC Principal Dr Fida Mohammad.

The college was established in 1998 and its self-finance classes were started in February 1999 at Gomal University. Due to insufficient space, it was later shifted to Dera Township.

Having no proper building, staff and facilities, it remained unrecognised by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.  

Some elements were reportedly trying to get the college shifted to Lakki Marwat district. During a recent meeting, D.I. Khan District Nazim Latifullah Khan Alizai briefed the governor about the situation and the governor announced the donation of 300 kanals for the college.

On the occasion of the handing over, Aminullah Gandapur said that the construction of the building would be initiated when the funds were released.