18 September 2004	Saturday	02 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Sept 17: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that his government's priorities are to provide good governance, ensure stability in prices of essential commodities, and provide justice to everyone.

The Sindh government should work like a team to achieve these targets, he said while addressing members of the provincial cabinet at the Governor's House on Friday. Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion.

"There has to be a paradigm shift in work culture... the government has to be result-oriented rather than activity-oriented," he said, adding that this would help in accomplishing the task of good governance.

The political government has to work in coordination with civil servants, with focus on socio-economic development of the country. It has to identify issues, prioritise them and make concerted efforts to resolve them, and not to delay or be proactive in resolving them.

Mr Aziz observed that Karachi possessed great entrepreneurial potential which should be exploited by the provincial government. "We have asked the Asian Development Bank and World Bank to assist in the mega projects of Karachi and Lahore respectively. Now it is the responsibility of the Sindh government to undertake these projects in coordination with the ADB," he said.

He exhorted the cabinet members to ensure enforcement of the writ of government in the province to create an environment congenial for investments. With regard to stability in prices, the prime minister said the government had decided to import wheat whereas the POL prices remained stable in the country despite an increase in the international market.

He asked the provincial government to keep a close eye on the prices of essential commodities so that they did not go up. The prime minister pointed out: "There has been an expansion in industry in response to our policies and we have to give certain more incentives to industrialists."

The prime minister agreed with one of the suggestions put forward to him that provincial governments be involved in the process of chalking out five-year plans besides the Planning Commission and National Economic Council.

"Provincial governments, too, should chalk out such plans and determine priorities," he said, adding that he did believe in provincial autonomy but it should be accompanied by good governance and merit.

"And good governance demands concerted efforts for overcoming the constraints in the way of target. If we work with dedication, team spirit and conviction, our efficiency will increase and targets achieved which will be our success," the prime minister said. -APP