Lahore: The Punjab government has pledged a multi-billion development package for Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas, a news source reported. The development package was announced by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar during his maiden visit to his home district.
Under the development package, the provincial government will set up a technical university, higher and secondary educational institutions, small dams, hospitals – including a cardiology institute – as well as develop travel and transport.
Buzdar also inaugurated two mobile health units and inspected a new block of the district teaching hospital that now includes 400 beds and will be completed at a cost of PKR 620 million in June next year.
The chief minister said 26 government medical officers have joined the health institutions, adding that 0.193 million families will be issued health cards soon. He announced to increase quota for medical students at Ghazi Medical College.
He also announced to upgrade DG Khan Technical College to Technical University and restoration of the postgraduate college. He added that the government will provide a sum of PKR 1.70 billion for the construction of new campus of Ghazi University.
To address water-related issues, the chief minister said, water reservoirs and small dams will be constructed at 13 different points to store rain waiter. Similarly, five small spurs will be constructed for protection against floods. He said a bridge project will be completed which will connect DG Khan with Balochistan; a mobile livestock dispensary unit will be provided and model cattle market will be set up at a cost of PKR 200 million. A women employment centre and sweet home will also be setup in DG Khan in collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, he added.
Buzdar, while announcing the expansion of DG Khan Airport, which he said would accommodate foreign flights, pledged PKR 10 billion for water supply schemes. He added that land record centres are being established in Kot Chattah, Wahowa, Taunsa and other areas.
