BAHAWALPUR: The Multan Development Authority (MDA) has decided to install a modern traffic signal system on the main intersections in the city on the pattern of Lahore traffic signals. This was announced by MDA Director General Rana Saleem Ahmed Khan during the inspection of the roads in Multan on Thursday. The DG said that a modern traffic signal system was urgently needed in the city in order to control the rising flow of traffic. To start with, he added, the traffic signal under new a modern system would be installed at Nawan Shahr Chowk and Eidgah Chowk. In this respect, the DG directed the engineering wing of the development authority to prepare a plan. IUB: The Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) requires funds for completion of a number of ongoing uplift projects and it would approach the government as well as higher education commission (HEC) to seek funds to the tune of millions of rupees. This was stated by IUB Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran while speaking to Dawn on Thursday. He said the IUB was already running short of funds from previous years and several of its ongoing projects were pending and needed to be completed in due course of time. He said in order to seek development funds, he would ask the government to sanction special substantial funds for the purpose. Talking about the university’s financial matters, the VC, who was given additional charge of the university for four months, claimed that the financial issues had already been sorted out and the most important matter of the payment of salaries to the faculty and employees had been made. Earlier, he said, the payment of salaries could not be made on time due to which the employees and teachers were hit hard. He added that the teachers’ arrears and those of the visiting professors’ arrears amounting to millions of rupees of previous years were being gradually cleared. Mr Kamran disclosed that during previous years, excess employees, including academics, against the approved strength in accordance with the university’s statutes had been recruited, creating financial difficulties for the university as they were now a financial burden on it. However, he assured that such employees as were recruited during the previous years in violation of university statutes would not be now terminated rendering them jobless. The VC said that practicable steps would be taken in the coming days to further improve the financial conditions of the university. He also expressed confidence to bring about major changes to the campuses’ atmosphere. He claimed that the IUB’s all departments and disciplines were working smoothly. SINKHOLE: A sinkhole has appeared on the busy road near the Govt Vocational College, Bahawalpur, creating inconvenience for the motorists. According to Rescue 1122 and municipal officials, the sinkhole appeared due to faulty sewerage. The officials cordoned off the area to avoid any mishap and launched repair work, which might take several days to complete. Being a thoroughfare, the municipal officials have also taken precautionary measures aimed at ensuring the flow of traffic and safety of passers-by.