KARACHI, Nov 13: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has said that his government is striving to develop Karachi’s coastal areas into a tourist resort to attract tourists.

The government, he said, was in touch with some foreign developers to build a ‘Water World’, on the pattern of ‘Disneyland’, in the coastal area.

Mr Mahar was speaking at an Iftar dinner following the welcome address presented to him by the President of the Karachi Press Club, Sabihuddin Ghausi, who had drawn his attention to the menace of encroachment, setting up of industries and construction of warehouses along Mauripur Road. The KPC president urged the government to take notice of the menace as nowhere in the world truck stands, industries and warehouses were allowed to be built in coastal areas.

The CM said that these decisions were taken by the past governments. However, he promised to look into the matter as his government was averse to the idea of setting up of industries and warehouses to spoil the beautiful coastal line.

Mr Mahar maintained that the development work to transform Gorakh Hill Station into a summer resort was stopped due to the recent torrential rains but now road was being built and he would take newsmen to the site next month.

Replying to questions about rising unemployment, Mr Mahar said that after Eidul Fitr, the ban on employment in health and police departments would be lifted where some 30,000 vacancies are to be filled. Besides, he said, one of the multinational companies was installing a project in Karachi where more than two thousand people would get employment.

Referring to the ongoing protest by Tapedars, who had set up a camp outside the club, he said he had asked them to end their protest as their issue was being looked into and would be solved.

The CM dispelled the impression about any differences having been developed between him and Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, saying that the governor was his brother and both were working for the welfare of the province.

When his attention was drawn to the government’s decision to reduce sugarcane procurement price from Rs43 to Rs41 per maund, the chief minister termed allegation of corruption in this regard ‘baseless’ and said that the government was itself supporting the sugarcane growers and he was in touch with sugar mill owners.

He declared that the government was committed to the notification fixing the date for the commencement of crushing season as November 15. He, however, maintained that a delay of a few days made no difference.

Earlier, referring to the Sindh government’s policy, the CM said he was satisfied with his government’s performance. “Our policy is to take along all, including the opposition, so that the issues being faced by people could resolved.

Mr Mahar said his government was about to complete first year of its tenure during which Sindh was led to progress and prosperity.

“Our efforts are aimed at maintaining harmony among the four provinces so that Pakistan could become stronger. We all have to join hands to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity.”

Mr Mahar said he believed in freedom of press and expected from newsmen to use their pen for the welfare of the country, nation and the province.

He announced a grant of one million rupees for the Karachi Press Club and handed over the cheque to the KPC president.

He held out the assurance that fund requirement for the development, as well as other facilities as mentioned by the KPC president, of the Hawkesbay Scheme for journalists would be met. He pledged that all genuine problems confronting journalists would be resolved.

Regarding murder of a newsman, Amir Bakhsh Brohi, he said he was in touch with police and had ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said he had also ordered arrest of all those involved in the murder.