THATTA, April 20: Federal minister for information and broadcasting Nisar Ahmed Memon has said that half a million unemployed population in Sindh is being benefited in earning its bread through 5,000 under-execution development schemes across the province.

Speaking at Dhabeji market, a site on National Highway, some ten km away from Bhambhor historical ruins, on Saturday, the minister, while launching the referendum campaign, said that on completion of these projects under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme, Sindh would step forward to prosperity.

He said that over sixty per cent population in Sindh was still illiterate and was facing hardships in getting its identity card issued timely.

He disclosed that computerized national identity card (CNIC) issuance centres were being set up in the country and added the drive would be initiated from Thatta before April 30.

Mr Memon disclosed that over 125,000 polling stations were being established throughout the country, besides mobile polling booths to solicit votes from those eligible voters who could not move or access out of their homes due to ailments or some other reasons.

Responding to locals’ demands to restart the sick industrial units in Dhabeji mill area, he promised to move the issue with the authorities concerned. Later, he went to the coastal town, Keti Bunder, to speak at a meeting there.