BAHAWALPUR, April 24: The Punjab governor on Wednesday announced a Rs4.5 billion package for Bahawalpur.

Talking to councillors here, Governor Khalid Maqbool said a medical college would be established in Rahim Yar Khan, Islamia University would be upgraded to international standards, post-graduate classes would be started in the Government Degree College for Women, Bahawalnagar, and polytechnic institute at Faqirwali would be made a college.

He said Rs20 million would be spent on the uplift of Tibba Badar Shair which included provision of natural gas. Five parks would be set up in Bahawalpur city, he added.

He said canals in three districts of former Bahawalpur division would be brick lined to reduce water loss.

The governor also announced financial grants for the sewerage schemes of Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

Talking about wheat procurement campaign, the governor told the councillors that he had warned the food secretary of strict action if he received any complaint from growers.

He dispelled growers apprehension and said the government would purchase entire wheat stocks. He asked the growers not to be misled by the commission agents.

He said he would himself visit each procurement centre after April 30 to redress growers’ grievances. The governor appealed to the Nazimeen to vote for Gen Musharraf in the April 30 referendum.

Bahawalpur district Nazim Tariq Cheema, Bahawalnagar Nazim Chaudhry Ali Akbar Waince and Rahim Yar Khan Nazim Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood assured the governor of their full support to the president in referendum.

TIGHT SECURITY: Security was heightened on Wednesday for the president’s visit to the city.