KARACHI, Feb 10: Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has said that he has requested the Prime Minister for a special package for Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

He said this while talking to reporters at Karachi airport on his return from Lahore on Monday after paying a visit to that city on the invitation of the Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Illahi.

He said such a package would help bring about improvements to Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Mr Mahar was the chief guest at a programme held at Shahi Qila in connection with the ‘Basant’ festivities.

The Sindh chief minister said there was a lot of excitement in Lahore, and that “such festivals should also be organized in all the cities of the country”.

Mr Mahar said he also met the governor of Punjab, Khalid Maqbool, as well as the chief minister.

The main issues between the two provinces were discussed and it was agreed that “we should sit, talk and solve these”. “It is a very good gesture shown by the two provinces”, he said and added: “We want to talk to the provinces in order to discuss the problems and find solutions accordingly through dialogue so that all the four provinces should get their due rights and that the resources should be utilized towards the betterment of the people of these areas and the country could be strengthened.”

To a question, he said the approach of the Punjab chief minister was very positive and he told him that “we are with you” for the resolution of genuine problems of Sindh.

“It was a very successful visit. We want to create an atmosphere that is best suited for the country and its people”, Mr Mahar said. “After Eid-ul-Azha, the chief minister of Punjab and other provinces will also be invited to visit Sindh.”

He said the main issues he discussed with the Punjab chief minister were law and order, especially in the areas bordering the provinces of Punjab and Balochistan, the water issue and its judicious distribution.

The Sindh chief minister was of the view that water resources in the country be enhanced and that there should be small dams in all the provinces.

About the Kalabagh dam, he said that till all the four provinces agreed the project would not be taken up. “We all want to sit and resolve the matter amicably. It will be discussed at all the forums.”

Mr Mahar said he wanted to foster an atmosphere of brotherhood, love as well as that of amity. “We all desire a strong Pakistan and the provinces should sit and discuss their problems so that they be resolved in an spirit of understanding and brotherhood.”

He said that about the NFC, the Punjab chief minister agreed that Sindh should seek its due right and that we should talk about it.

About the opposition’s requisitioning of the Sindh assembly session, he said the issues should be discussed at this very forum.

He said he would visit every district of Sindh to know the problems of the people and help solve them.

Replying to a question about the presence of the rangers in Sindh, Mr Mahar said that after the 9/11 incident the situation was such that the province needed the rangers.

LAW AND ORDER: The Sindh chief minister has said that every possible measure would be taken for the maintenance of law and order on Eid.