KARACHI, Nov 17: Sindh government has decided to approach the federal government for seeking its share of the financial assistance extended by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for rehabilitation of drought-stricken people, official sources said.

In a meeting on drought emergency assistance, held under the chairmanship of provincial minister for finance, planning and development, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, a committee was constituted to prepare the case, identifying the drought affected areas, number of affected people, extent of losses and the strategy for rehabilitation of drought stricken people on permanent basis.

The committee was asked to furnish the case papers by Nov 30, for onward submission to the federal government.

The meeting was informed that the World Bank assistance for Pakistan, amounting to US$ 130 million, and Asian Development Bank assistance of US$ 100 million was available which was for entire drought stricken areas of Pakistan.

Out of the WB assistance, US$ 90 million were proposed for balance of payment for the ministry of finance, and the remaining US$ 40 million were proposed for drought restoration works.

Major share of the ADB assistance, 60 to 65 per cent of the US$ 100 million, would be for Sindh and Balochistan, it was further informed.—PPI