KARACHI, Dec 26: President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday specially appreciated the Sindh government’s low-cost housing plans and instructed various departments to do everything possible to remove the sufferings of the poor.
The President complimented the Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro and the Government of Sindh for their dedication in implementing the government’s schemes for benefit of the masses.
He conveyed his compliments at a four-hour long session with the Sindh Cabinet at Governor House here at which he was briefed about the progress made on devolution of power plan and implementation of government policies of merit, transparency as well as the steps taken for weeding out corruption.
Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro was also present at the meeting which was also attended by provincial ministers and secretaries of various departments.
The president directed all the government departments to find ways and means to provide housing facilities at an affordable price to the poorest segments of the population of Karachi and interior of Sindh.
He said the land for construction of houses and infrastructure facilities for the same be made available to them at the lowest possible rates.
On the occasion, Sindh Chief Secretary, Mohammed Javed Ashraf Hussain, briefed the President on the progress of important development projects in Sindh, the Food Support Programme, regularisation and upgradation of katchi abadis and low-cost housing schemes.
He informed about close coordination and inter-action between the Provincial Government, Nazims and Councillors at the District, Taluka and Union levels to ensure speedy amelioration of problems of the poor masses.
He informed that all Nazims were being involved in the development plans.
The Chief Secretary informed that in order to promote merit, the Government of Sindh has taken the following measures:
No extraneous influences are entertained in the transfer and posting of government officers; recruitment to posts of BS-11 and above are now the purview of Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) as against the BS-16 in the past; all ASIs of police will also be recruited through SPSC; appointment of primary teachers up to BS-10 will be done by Sindh Primary Teachers Recruitment Board.
The CS stated that action is being taken for removal from service of corrupt and inefficient officers.
He also briefed about the progress of Khushhal Pakistan Programme (KPP) and said under Phase-I, 380 schemes costing Rs 726.841 million have been completed at a cost of Rs 621 million benefiting 2.46 million people and generating employment for 15,700 persons.
Under Phase-II, he said, 551 schemes out of 691 have been completed at a cost of Rs 1299.777 million, benefiting a population of 9.22 million besides generating employment for 42,000 persons.
In the two phases of Khushhal Pakistan Programme, the schemes completed included 202 farm-to-market roads, 153 drainage/ garbage collection, 25 water reservoirs/ ponds, 61 water supply schemes, 155 educational schemes, 295 road schemes and 125 health/ civic amenities schemes.
The chief secretary informed that other important development projects of Sindh Government included Lyari Expressway, Shah Faisal Colony Flyover, 100 MGD K-III Water Supply Scheme, FTC Flyover, Arts Council Auditorium, Sports Complex, Trauma Centre, Milk Plant, Scannia Buses, Karachi Circular Railway and Right Bank Outfall Drainage Project.
TIES WITH CHINA: The President also briefed the cabinet about current Indo-Pakistan situation.
The President reiterated that Pakistan has always desired resolution of all disputes with India peacefully through dialogue.
On the occasion, he also briefed the Cabinet about his recent visit to China and spoke of complete unanimity of views between China and Pakistan.
He told the cabinet that his visit to China was extremely successful and had resulted in further cementing of ties.—APP
