Punjab CM lays foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak university

The Rs6 billion project was originally planned with Rs1 billion cost during the previous government’s tenure

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University in Nankana Sahib, aimed to portray a soft image of Pakistan in the world.

He was warmly received by Minister for Interior Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, assembly members and the district administration in Nankana Sahib.

According to a handout issued here, this university would be built on 10 acres of land with a cost of Rs6 billion. The university is an important step towards completion of Prime Minister's promises and would help hundreds of thousand students of Nankana Sahib district and other adjoining areas.

Chief Minister Punjab @UsmanAKBuzdar laid the foundation stone of the Rs 6 billion #BabaGuruNanak University today, which would be spread over 10 acres.

Establishment of BGNU in Nankana Shaib, the birth place of Guru Nanak is part of Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI's vision pic.twitter.com/7yTkaBnWVX

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 12, 2019

It may be mentioned that the project was launched by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) during the previous government’s tenure with an estimated cost of Rs1 billion.

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The university would help create such an image especially among far eastern countries like Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, Thailand, along with Sikhs and Hindu fraternities, by offering research and academic activities, on the life of Baba Guru Nanak and ancient Gandhara’s civilization, according to an APP story published on May 18, 2018.

According to the news story, the university would also be helpful in promoting religious tourism in Pakistan and will be a source of pride for the Sikhs living across the word. The university would not only help improve the image of the country, but also help in improving the socio-economic and educational condition of the Nankana Sahib district.

During today’s visit, CM Buzdar also inaugurated the first Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) motel, which had been completed with a cost of Rs130 million to promote religious tourism in the district.

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He planted a sapling and expressed satisfaction that the new facility would provide the best facilities to Sikh pilgrims and other tourists. The Punjab government was providing the best facilities to the Sikh community at their religious places under a policy of religious harmony, he added.

The CM also laid the foundation stone of a project of repair and maintenance of entry roads of the district, which would be completed with an amount of Rs150 million. Pir Ahmed Shah Road would be dualised and Gurdawara Tanboo Sahib to Gurdwara Janam Asthaan via Dholaar Chowk would be repaired and Lorri Adda Road would be expanded under the project.

Similarly, link road connecting the Guru Nanak University to Nankana-Warburton Road would be constructed too.

The chief minister also laid the foundation stone of construction of Shah Kot tehsil complex project, which would be completed with Rs110 million.

The interior minister hosted a luncheon in honour of the chief minister, which was attended by assembly members and local notables.

In his address, Usman Buzdar said that development of all areas would be ensured, adding that the neglected districts like Nankana Sahib would be brought at par with developed cities.

“The establishment of Baba Guru Nanak University is part of prime minister's vision,” he said.

With additional input from News Desk