BAHAWALPUR, Dec 31: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool admitted on Wednesday that security lapses gave a chance to the anti-state elements to make two attempts on the president's life.

He was talking to newsmen at a press conference at the Bahawalpur Circuit House. Governor Maqbool said the government had taken a serious notice of the lapses and decided to take special security arrangements for the movements of VVIPs.

He said inquiry against anti-state elements had been initiated. He, however, hastened to say that generally the law and order situation was satisfactory as most of the 'terrorists' had been arrested. He agreed with a questioner that the victims of acid attacks should be provided free medical aid in the government and autonomous hospitals.

Earlier, Governor Maqbool visited the offices of Wapda, HBFC, Agriculture Development Bank, Khushali Bank, SNGPL and PTCL and expressed his satisfaction over their working.

He, however, showed his displeasure at the agriculture bank's small loan scheme. He was told that the bank had advanced Rs1.64 billion loan to farmers.

He was told that the HBFC had given Rs84.8 million to 4,000 applicants in Bahawalpur. He directed the HBFC to expand their network to tehsils.

During his visit to the Nadra Swift Centre, the governor was told that 450,000 computerized cards have been issued while 500,000 cards would be issued soon.

He was told that swift centres would soon be opened at Yazman and Ahmadpur East. Governor Maqbool said an agriculture college would be set up in the Islamic University.

AWARDS DISTRIBUTED: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education held a ceremony here to give away awards and medals to the position holders of matric and intermediate examinations for the years 1997 to 2000. Former judge of the Lahore High Court Muhammad Husain was the chief guest on the occasion.