FAISALABAD, Aug 4: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has stressed the need for bridging the gap between the government departments, agricultural research institutions, farmers and industrialists to enhance the pace of promotion of agriculture and industrial sectors.
Speaking to the research scholars during his visit of Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) here on Wednesday, the governor lauded the scientists role in strengthening the national economy.
He said the great achievements of the scientists in the fields of agriculture, industries, environment and health were a proof of their efficiency and hard work.
He said major problems faced by the farmers and industrialists could be resolved through direct links of research institutions with the field staff and use of modern techniques.
He proposed to install a water treatment plant at Khurrianwala with the help of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission so that the industrial sector could meet the challenges of the WTO regime.
Governor Maqbool also suggested setting up of a centre at Multan or its adjoining areas by the Islamia University, Bahawalpur, or Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, with the assistance and coordination of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
A senior SNGPL official told the governor that at present 196,793 consumers were enjoying the facility in Faisalabad while work on the projects for Kamalia and Tandlianwala were nearing completion. The work on 40 different schemes was going in full swing.
GAS: The governor said federal and provincial governments had formulated a comprehensive plan to provide natural gas in every tehsil of the province for which Rs4 billion has been allocated.
Presiding over a meeting of the heads of federal and provincial departments here at the Circuit House, he said the work on projects of provision of gas was going on in full swing and its supply to the residents of Millat Town, Canal Road, Kalim Shaheed Park, Samundri and Pir Mahal would start soon.
He also inaugurated a scheme of replacing donkey-carts with loader rickshaws by handing over keys of 22 vehicles to their owners. He appreciated the scheme introduced by the district government with the financial assistance of a bank and hoped that it would help reduce the volume of traffic and environmental pollution in the city.
District Nazim Zahid Nazir urged the governor to remove certain duties on the import of CNG rickshaws so that they could be replaced with donkey-carts. Government College University vice-chancellor Dr Asif Iqbal also briefed the governor on various academic and administrative matters of the university.