Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday pledged to release a grant of Rs 100 million to Government College University (GCU) Lahore and also ordered the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) not to take a single inch of the 148-year-old educational institution for bus terminal unless Old Ravians and GCU authorities allow.
The chief minister was talking to a delegation of Old Ravians Union at Camp office (Minar-e-Pakistan). The delegation was led by ORU Secretary Dr Khalid Maznoor Butt, while GCU Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Ikram-ul-Haq, Advisor to CM on Education Zaeem Qadri, TEPA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed, LDA Director General M. Cheema, Mian Muhammad Cacharr and Zoraiz Lashari were also present.
Talking to delegation, the Chief Minister said GCU is a pride of Pakistan and he understands the historical significance of this great institution and none of its structures would be ever changed without the consent of Old Ravians and GCU authorities. He said he and majority of his family members had studied from GCU and they have great respect and love for their alma mater. Shahbaz Sharif also pledged a special grant for the extension of GCU only Girl's Hostel where more than 300 students are residing.
The Old Ravians appreciated the Chief Minister's initiative of providing, state-of-the-art, transportation facility to the people of Lahore. However, they requested the CM to order relocation of a bus terminal, which is scheduled to built on the land of GCU and would deface the 148-year old educational institution.
They also briefed the Chief Minister about the financial difficulties being faced by GCU due to lack of funding by HEC and Punjab government, at which the CM pledged to immediately release a grant of Rs 100 million to his alma mater. Shahbaz Sharif also promised the Old Ravians to undertake all needful steps for the development of GCU.