PESHAWAR, July 18: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti on Friday granted one-year extension in contract of all ad hoc employees of provincial higher education department whose appointment had either expired or about to expire.

The chief minister approved a summary in this regard presented to him by the establishment department keeping in view the academic interests of the students and the administrative problems of the higher education department.

The extension in the contract of the ad hoc employees was granted for a year or till the arrival of selectee of the commission, whichever is earlier, said a hand out.

CONTRACT LECTURERS: The provincial government has decided in principle one year extension in the contract period of lecturers.

A notification in this regard would be issued soon, said a hand out here on Friday.

NWFP Minister for Higher Education Qazi Mohammad Asa, while talking to a delegation, disclosed that the government was making all out efforts for promotion of education and eradication of unemployment from the society. He said extension in the contract period of lecturers was part of the government's efforts in this regard.

The promotion of education, he said, was first priority of the government and the ANP-led provincial government was utilising all resources for bringing reforms in the education sector.