‘University of Animal Sciences to be set up in Bahawalpur’

Transparent land allotment system devised for Cholistan region: Channar

BAHAWALPUR: The provincial government has decided to set up a University of Animal Sciences in Bahawalpur. This will help promote livestock sector in Cholistan, Cholistan Development Authority Chairman Muhammad Iqbal Channar said on Sunday. He was speaking at a consultative workshop held to devise an integrated 10-year development programme for Cholistan.

Channar, the provincial minister for cooperatives, said various development projects had been undertaken in the region under the chief minister’s special package.

He said cattle farming was the principal economic activity for the Cholistani people. He said cattle head count in the region was estimated to be around two million. “The people of Cholistan are known for their patriotism and perseverance,” he said.

Channar said the provincial government would be requested to set up degree colleges, vocational training institutes, cattle markets and slaughter houses in the region. He stressed the need to promote wool industry in the region. He said a coherent and effective participatory development mechanism should be evolved for the purpose. He said the government had finalised a transparent and merit-based land allotment programme for the region. He said it would help protect economic rights of Cholistani people. Channar said the government would be requested to set education and employment quotas for Cholistani people. He praised Bahawalpur Commissioner Saqib Zafar for his commitment to the cause of preserving cultural heritage of the region. He lauded initiatives like installation of the Derawari Cannon and exhibition of historic vehicles at Bahawalpur museum. Bahawalpur Commissioner Saqib Zafar said arrangements had been finalised to provide 1,200 cusec water to Cholistan region from Mailsi Syphon during the flood season.

Earlier, CDA Managing Director Naeem Iqbal Bukhari said the government was committed to use of modern technology to enhance the pace of development in Cholistan. He said work on de-silting of 1,100 water ponds, construction of 31 roads, repair of a road from Talewala to Mithra had been completed under the chief minister’s Cholistan development package. He said that a water supply pipeline would soon be laid from Kudwala to Banna.

MPAs Khalid Mahmood Jajja, Mian Muhammad Islam Aslam and Syed Waseem Akhter also spoke on the occasion. The workshop was also attended by MPA Hasina Naz, PML-N leader Chaudhry Saad Masood and Brig Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2016.