ATTOCK, Nov 1: The Punjab government has earmarked Rs30 million for upgradation of Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) hospital Pindigheb.

According to a statement issued here on Monday by the office of EDO health, the Punjab government is according priority to the uplift of the THQ hospital to provide basic health facilities to the locals, besides ensuring availability of specialist doctors and latest equipment.

The statement said all vacant posts in the health department would be filled before July 2005.

It said the new building of THQ hospital Hassanabdal was also in final stages of completion. The project costing Rs10 million will help provide better health facilities to the people, it added.

The statement said as many as 57 Basic Health Units (BHUs) were also functioning throughout the district to facilitate people living in far-flung areas.

KASHMIR CAUSE: Punjab Minister for Cooperative Col (retired) Malik Mohammad Anwar has said Pakistan is committed to resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the expectations of Kashmiris and no decision will be taken without their consent.

The provincial minister, in a statement, said President Gen Pervez Musharraf had taken a bold step by initiating public debate on options to solve the Kashmir issue. Resolution of this dispute is essential for peace in the region, he added.