KARACHI, Aug 30: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that law and order has been his top priority since he took charge of his office.
"The situation is not ideal and I don't want to tell lie to people," he remarked, and observed that there were some defects needed to be rectified.
Dr Arbab was speaking in a PTV programme, Roobaroo, telecast here on Monday, in which ministers, social workers, businessmen, industrialists, educationist, intellectuals, students and other people were present.
They threw critical questions to the chief minister who responded with all patience. "The situation is not all well and it has to be improved. We will work and improve it," he declared.
He pointed out that law and order was one factor which could attract investment and his government had chalked out short- and long-term plans for bringing about an improvement in the situation.
Pointing out that political situation, too, was a factor, he said if political conditions were conducive, then it was bound to attract investment. Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the province was faced with a shortage of irrigation water to the extent of 60 per cent.
He observed that there had been opposition to the construction of big dams, but the confrontation was now heading towards reconciliation. "The country faces super floods after every five years. With the amount of rainfall received last year, big dams could have been filled. But the water had gone waste."
Dr Arbab expressed the hope that the issue of dams would be resolved. Referring to the NFC Award, he referred to the absence of a consensus on the issue before he took over as chief minister. "When I took the charge, the budget was under preparation," he said, adding that he had asked the federal government to resolve the issue.
Pointing out that Sindh was a revenue-generating province, the CM argued that while considering the Award, not only population, but revenue-generation should also be taken into account.
The federal government, he said, had reached close to the finalization of the Award, but could not announce it due to the reservations expressed by other provinces. He said he would make efforts for a compromise formula for a consensus.
When his attention was drawn to reports that the Sindh government had stopped release of funds to local governments, the chief minister described the claim as 'totally wrong'.
He, however, admitted that there were complaints about subordination as the city and district governments had to work under the provincial government like the latter being supposed to take directives from the Centre.
There is need for more understanding between provincial and local governments, he said, adding that a committee, formed for the purpose, was examining flaws and removing them.
He also acknowledged that there had been more development under the local government system than the provincial set up. The devolution system, he said, has been making an impact, he said.
In reply to a question, Dr Arbab categorically said: "I am not a helpless chief minister. Powers of the chief minister and governor are very well defined. Governor represents the Centre and uses his powers accordingly."
Dr Arbab declared that the day he felt he was powerless, he would not remain in his seat. Replying to another question, he said that believed in discipline within the party and he knew how to ensure it, particularly in respect of those who were leg pullers.
When asked about the delay in setting up Public Safety Commissions in the province, the CM said it had been only two months now that he had taken over as chief minister, adding that the government's top priority was law and order.
Dr Arbab told the audience that he had directed the IGP to give priority to community policing. In this regard, the CM referred to the experiment of community policing in the locality near Hill Park and said the experiment had produced positive results.
Expressing his satisfaction over the working of police, he said the department was performing its responsibilities under most difficult circumstances and also under resource constraints.
Regarding linkage of KESC with Hub power system, the chief minister said that the KESC had sought a plot for the establishment of a grid station and the demand had been met without any hesitation.
President Musharraf, he said, had directed the KESC that laying of transmission line be completed within 16 months as against the stipulated 36-month time frame. "Once the linkage is done, Karachi will get rid of loadshedding and power breakdowns."
He also referred to the desalination plant being installed by the DHA, and said that the plant would generate electricity also. Its production, he added, would be meant for the Defence area.
Dr Arbab pointed out that it was President Musharraf's keen interest, in resolving the problems being faced by people in Sindh, that the mega projects like Lyari Expressway, Thar Coal Power project, Northern Bypass, etc., had been launched.
In reply to a question about quality of education in Sindh, Dr Arbab recounted the efforts being made in this regard. He pointed out that cadet colleges and public schools would be provided adequate funds and the private schools imparting quality education would also be supported suitably.
Speaking about representation being given to womenfolk, the chief minister pointed out that there had been only one woman minister in the previous cabinet whereas the number in the new cabinet had risen to three and it could go up further.
While responding to a questioner on the issue of clashes between rival student groups in educational institutions, Dr Arbab held political parties responsible for the situation and said alleged that they had been resorting to use labour and student forces for meeting their political ends.
He advised all political parties to do away with this practice and work towards developing 'civic nationalism' in students. In reply to a question about the recent raid on Prince Cinema and the related matters, the chief minister observed that there had been a 'technical error' in handling the matter.
Stressing that women police force should have been involved, he said: "The intention was right but action was not correctly taken." Regarding crimes like theft, dacoities and car-snatching in Karachi, Dr Arbab said that he had a briefing on the use of electronic gadgets and cameras to curb such crimes. -APP
