28 June 2004	Monday	09 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, June 27: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said on Sunday that bringing about an improvement in the law and order was top priority of his government and, as such, allocations for police and other law-enforcement agencies had been increased.

He was speaking at the Sindh Assembly after conclusion of general debate on the provincial budget 2004-05.

The government respected people's democratic and fundamental rights, he said, adding: "If some members are not present because of their participation in some march, then it was their business."

While the CM was making the remarks, MMA's central leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed was being sent back to Islamabad to prevent him from entering Sindh to address the peace rally organized by the MMA on Sunday.

Dr Arbab told the house that at the time he had taken over as the chief minister, budgetary proposals had already been finalized. However, he added, he briefed the finance minister about his priorities and asked him to increase allocation for law-enforcement agencies because police lacked adequate resources to deal with terrorists and bandits.

Stressing the need for improving quality of education, he said he had asked for reducing fees of cadet colleges and public schools so that poor students could also benefit from their quality teaching.

He also regretted inadequate facilities at school in the interior of Sindh and directed the concerned departments to take corrective measures. He sought opposition's cooperation in this regard.

Dr Arbab noted that sowing of rise could not be carried out due to water shortage in lower Sindh, and hoped that the situation would improve as water supply position was getting better. He also pledged bringing about an improvement in water distribution system.The CM said that poverty in Sindh appeared widespread and suicide incidents were also on the rise.

He advised officials to improve the governance before people resorted to revolt.

Referring to budget deficit, he said that efforts were being made to arrange for credits from foreign institutions at low mark-up rate. He also called for improving revenue collection and emphasized the need for improving network of roads.