GILGIT: The Higher Education Commission has recognised the degree awarding status of the Skardu campus of the Karakoram International University (KIU).

According to a press release issued by the KIU media office on Wednesday, a high-level HEC delegation visited Skardu campus recently, reviewed the standard of teaching, research on the subjects, and administrative matters.

The delegation recommended to the HEC to issue a no-objection certificate to it to award degrees in four subjects, including management sciences, computer science, modern languages and education.

The press release said in light of the recommendations, the HEC issued the NOC to the effect.

The Skardu campus was established in 2011, but classes are beingheldin arented building.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Asif Khan told Dawn the Skardu campus was established to provide an opportunity to the students of Baltistan region to get higher education at their doorsteps as they couldn`t afford to come to Gilgit for the purpose.

Asif Khan said the HE C had recently approved Rs48 million for construction of the campus building and provision of other required facilities.

WHEAT SUPPLY: Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Food and Agriculture Janbaz Khan said on Wednesday the Palcistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) had delivered 100,000 wheat bags to GB.

Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, he said the transportation of wheat from Islamabad to GB was in progress. The minister said after completion of transportation process within a week, distribution will be started as per allocated quota to all districts of the region. Janbaz Khan said earlier the region faced wheat shortage as Passco reviewed the wheat quota for GB after three months, but now it was being done every month.-Correspondent