MULTAN: Governor Malik Rafiq Rajwana said on Friday that a sub-committee formed to prepare recommendations for empowerment of south Punjab and solve problems of the people at their doorstep had completed the exercise and sent a detailed report to the chief minister.

Addressing industrialists and traders at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, he said the report had recommended establishment of sub-offices of ministries of agriculture, health, education, works and communications, besides two permanent members of Board of Revenue, a fully authorized office of the Punjab Public Service Commission, offices of chief engineers of buildings, highways to save people from the hassle of travel to Lahore.

The governor said he remained in touch with the sub-committee during the entire exercise in which data regarding agriculture, livestock, industry and trade and other sectors was compiled.

Rajwana admitted that the growing number of sugar mills in cotton area was worrisome for farmers but added that the matter was subjudice before the courts.

He asked MCCI and women’s chamber office-bearers to locate suitable piece of land for the construction of the office of women chamber of industry, Multan division. He said USAID and Jaica were willing to work on citrus post-harvest facilities in the area and asked industrialists to give proposals in this regard.

About the Metro Bus Project in Multan, Rajwana said work on this unique project was under way with full pace. He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would open the project upon its completion most likely in May next.

The governor said that the problem of the Kutchery Road girls college would stand resolved once the women university was completed.

He said the government was also striving hard to ensure completion of the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) and engineering university in Multan.

Earlier, MCCI President Fareed Mughees Sheikh lauded the government and armed forces for gaining successes in fight against terrorism.

He demanded setting up of export display centre in Multan. He also demanded that MCCI be given representation on the Bahauddin Zakariya University Syndicate.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2016