BAHAWALPUR, Dec 21: Dubai Naib Amir and UAE Finance Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Raashid Al-Maktum on Saturday formally inaugurated the newly-constructed runway of Bahawalpur.

The Dubai Naib Amir was received at the airport by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal.

Specially designed for the wide-bodied aircraft, the runway has a total length of 94,000 feet and a width of 150 feet. The runway has been completed in a record period of three months with an expenditure of Rs360 million.

Accompanied by the Chief Minister and the Defence Minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Raashid Al-Maktum unveiled the plaque of the newly built runway. Later, the Dubai Naib Amir left for Cholistan where he will stay for his hunting trip.

Dawn learnt that Pakistani officials would now negotiate with the Dubai Naib Amir for the implementation on the second phase of the runway which would also include the construction of the new terminal building.