PESHAWAR: Cricket legend and politician Imran Khan on Saturday laid down foundation stone for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, second in the country, in Peshawar, DawnNews reported.

Speaking after officially inaugurating the project, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said that whatever discrepancies were left to be addressed in hospital’s first branch in Lahore, will be removed here in Peshawar branch.

The hospital to be built in three phases over three years will spread over 50 kanals of land donated by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in Hayatabad Township in response to a proposal floated by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and Research Centre, Lahore in Dec 2009.

Khan said breast cancer kills more patients in Pakistan than any other type of cancer. He said earlier the disease is diagnosed better are the chances of healing from it, adding that most types of cancer are curable.

The PTI chief said the project will cost around two billion rupees and will be completed in three years. He said the provincial government has donated 50 kanals of land and Rs 50 million for the project.

Speaking on the occasion, provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar said the government will support anyone, who will work for welfare of the masses. He said charitable acts are above politics and his party will support all generous contributors despite of their political affiliations.