BAHAWALNAGAR, July 22 Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved a number of projects for Bahawalnagar on Wednesday.

Mr Sharif opened the construction work of Bahawalangar-Chishtian-Hasilpur Highway which will be built at the cost of Rs1.5 billion. The chief minister also laid down the foundation stone of Pakistan's second rice research station which will be completed at a cost of Rs100 million in 15 months.

He also approved Rs300 million for the construction of Bahawalnagar-Minchinabad bypass and Rs30 million for the replacement of water supply pipelines of the town.

The chief minister said the Bahawalnagar sewerage system would be completed in one year for Rs200 million. He also announced the restoration of Eastern Sadiqia Canal and Hakra Canal for Rs442 million. He ordered the Anti-Corruption Establishment to probe seven corruption cases of the district council in a week. He also ordered the inspector general of police to control water theft cases.

He also inaugurated the Danish School at Chak 9 in Gajiani near Chishtian and granted construction of Chishtian-Qaziwala Road.

BAHAWALPUR On the demand of the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the chief minister made a committee to prepare a feasible report for the establishment of an industrial estate in Bahawalpur.

The chief minister directed the committee to submit its report in six weeks.

He gave a cheque for Rs5.5 million to BCCI President Chaudhry Mahmood Majid for the completion of chamber's incomplete-building here.