LAHORE - Punjab University Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lahore Development Authority for construction of road to link Maulana Shaukat Ali Road and Wahdat Road through Punjab University.
On the occasion, Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Khan, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, Mustafa Imam, Director General LDA Ahad Cheema, Registrar PU Prof Dr Muhammad Amin Athar, elected members of PU Syndicate and administrative officers were present. Addressing the ceremony, Rana Mashhood said that the government had adopted a policy to make institutions of higher learning self-sufficient and using extra land for commercial purposes will enable universities to stand on their own feet.
He said it was CM’s vision to provide easy access to adjacent area and easy transportation facilities by connecting major arteries of the area through university. He said that the road would not only save time and fuel of the people but reduce traffic pressure on Morr Bhekewal, Campus Bridge, Canal Road and other connecting roads. He said that both PU and people of Lahore would benefit from the project of public welfare. PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran said that the project would be a milestone in the history of varsity.
He said that PU met 67 percent of its expenditures through own sources but because of increase in salaries and other reasons, the burden on university’s budget was increasing. He said that PU needed funds to construct laboratories, purchase equipment, provision of residential facilities to faculty members, faculty members’ training, provision of various facilities, scholarships and subsidies to students etc, PU was facing financial difficulties but it was managing the situation.
He expressed the hope that with the money from commercial activities on both sides of the road, PU will become the first Pakistani university which will meet all its expenditures through its own sources.