KARACHI, Feb 16: Chief Minister Ali Mohammed Mahar has reiterated his commitment to lift the ban on employment in Sindh very soon.
He was talking to several delegations from the interior areas of the province at the CM House here on Sunday. He made it clear that the recruitment would be made on merit basis.
He told the delegations that his government was taking all measures to fully utilize the province’s natural resources. The coal deposits of Thar, he pointed out, would bring about a positive change in the socio-economic conditions and standard of life of the people of Sindh in general and Tharparkar in particular.
Mr Mahar said that an amount of Rs198 million would be spent on the feasibility of coal reserves exploitation in Thar. He revealed that an agreement with a German company had been signed in this regard and that the firm would submit its report in 14 months.
On the basis of the feasibility report, he said, the government would seek joint ventures with foreign investors in the projects. The projects would help provide an improved communication system to the people of Thar, he added.
Citing a report, the CM observed that Thar coal reserves had 30-40 per cent water content which would contribute greatly to electricity generation and help meet its increasing demand at domestic level.
Mr Mahar said that the government was committed to provide a basic infrastructure to the people. He pointed out that certain schemes pertaining to potable water, sewerage system and health, besides farm-market roads in rural areas, had been identified.
The chief minister said that he had directed all the concerned departments to prepare comprehensive development plans for each district of the province.
The directives are in line with the elected government’s commitment and determination to launch uplift projects and provide basic facilities to every citizen without any discrimination.
Mr Mahar said that expediting the pace of ongoing schemes and launching of new projects would also generate employment opportunities bringing progress and prosperity to the province.
He observed that the big cities, Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur, were facing civic problems. He revealed that he had requested Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali for special development package for these cities. For agriculture sector, he added, the government plans a network of road communication. He said some foreign funding agencies had already approved these projects and would start work on them soon.
Mr Mahar said that the provincial government attached top priority to education sector and measure were being taken to cover ensure provision of education facilities to every nook and corner of the province.
“We are devising a comprehensive strategy with special emphasis on making all the closed schools functional,” he said.
He acknowledged that certain influential figures in different parts of the province had been using a lot of school buildings as their guest houses. He declared that his government would not allow this practice to continue. He said all these schools would be got vacated and process of education would be started there.
The CM said that the health department had been directed to collect data of the government dispensaries and identify those which were either not functioning or facing shortage of medicines, staff, etc. He said that the department had also been asked to prepare a plan to revive such dispensaries by providing the required commodities and staff. The aim, he said, was to ensure provision of healthcare facilities at the doorstep of the citizens.
Mr Mahar called for close liaison among all the provinces to prevent or remove any misunderstanding, sort out problems in a cordial atmosphere and neutralize the hostile moves by certain trouble makers.
The delegations apprised the CM of the problems in their areas. They also complained of poor law and order. Mr Mahar held out the assurance that the government was duty bound to ensure protection to the citizens’ life and property. He declared that no one was above the law and nobody would be allowed to take law in his hands.—APP/PPI
