KARACHI, April 2: Governor Ishratul Ibad has proposed setting up of a ministerial committee to sort out issues leading differences between the provincial and City governments. Such a committee, he said, should identify impediments, bottlenecks and anomalies so that the problems could be resolved.

Describing Sindh’s water share as the ‘biggest’ issue in the province, he said “if we failed to initiate planning, the water issue could take an ugly turn by 2006,” he warned.

The governor was addressing members of the Sindh Cabinet on Wednesday. The meeting was convened by the Chief Minister, Ali Muhammad Mahar.

Later, Information Secretary Ms Mehtab Akbar Rashdi briefed newsmen about the cabinet meeting. She said that the governor highlighted the need for ensure a visible improvement in the working of their respective departments.

Referring to the law and order situation, with special reference to the Kashmor incident, Dr Ibad said that coordination at every level — from federal to district — was essential to maintain peace and harmony. He underscored the need for a remarkable improvement in the intelligence network to prevent recurrence of incidents like one that took place in the border town of Kashmor.

Without restoration of the writ of government, he said, there could be no improvement in law and order. “Writ of law has to be established and no political expediency should be allowed while taking action against culprits,” he declared.

The governor suggested crime mapping of every police station to determine crime rate in different areas and said that the data could help in getting maximum output from the proper utilization of limited resources.

“There appeared a steady improvement in the law and order situation as police personnel, indulging in breaking laws, are also being punished now,” he observed.

Dr Ibad also proposed a ministerial committee to monitor work on mega projects like Thar Coal, Gorakh Hill station, revamping of irrigation canal system, Lyari Expressway, Northren Bypass, KCR, KPP, etc. so that impediments in their implementation cold be removed and the projects could be completed on time.

He dispelled the impression, created by press reports, that his moves had in any way been undermining the authority of the chief minister. “We are coalition partners working at the same wavelength and taking all those steps necessary for the betterment of the people of Sindh,” he categorically declared.

Dr Ibad observed that the coalition was working in an abnormal situation which called for abnormal measures and decisions and also with a team spirit. He said that he considered it his responsibility to extend full cooperation as and when sought by the CM.

Earlier, Mr Mahar welcomed the governor at the meeting and said that being coalition partners, they were working in consultation with each other.