The establishment of a university for women at Multan, which is the epicentre of south Punjab, is need of the hour, said provincial minister for agricultural marketing Rana Mohammad Qasim Noon, here on Friday.
Talking to newsmen, the minister said: "Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and provincial Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Ellahi want to see south Punjab developed, well-educated and prosperous."
He agreed to a questioner that people of south Punjab are backward and conservative. Majority of them do not send their daughters to any co-education institution for higher studies.
"That is why", he added, "many of the knowledge-seeking girls, even position-holders, are compelled to give up their studies as master-level education is not available at women colleges here."
The minister expressed his determination to take up the women university issue with the federal as well as the provincial government 'as younger generation's future lies in quality and higher education.'
District Nazim Pir Riaz Hussain Qureshi supported Rana Qasim Noon's feelings and said, "I fully support the women university idea for south Punjab, which is a dire need of the hour."
The Nazim said he would do all to facilitate this project because it will usher the womenfolk of this backward region in an era of enlightenment and prosperity.