BAHAWALPUR, Nov 9: The first portion of 4,400-foot-long runway of the Bahawalpur airport was opened on Friday with the landing of Fokker from Islamabad.

The runway is being expanded to facilitate landing of Boeing on the public demand.

The entire expenditure of Rs260 million is being borne by the Dubai amir. He is due here in the last week of December when the construction of runway is expected to be completed.

LIONS SHIFTED: Five lions from the Bahawalpur Zoo have been shifted to the Lal Sohanra Safari Park, about 45 kilometres from here.

The lions were brought back to the zoo in summer as mosquitoes population grew making it difficult to keep the animals in the open.