29 January 2005	Saturday	18 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 28: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the policies of President Musharraf have brought noticeable development in the province but ill-planning of local government system and its inappropriate implementation has been causing problems.

He was talking to a delegation of National Defence College "war-course" led by Maj Gen Mohammad Hamid at the Chief Minister's House on Friday. Arbab Rahim said that the devolution system for government departments had been brought in through local government system but there were some flaws in it.

He claimed that the masses were not satisfied with the new system as the complaints regarding sanitation and unavailability of amenities had risen. He stressed that the scenario demanded cordial and cooperative relationship between local and provincial government.

Regarding development in the province, he negated the impression that only urban centres were being developed while rural areas were being ignored. He said that the uplift projects were going on in every part of the province without any discrimination.

The chief minister told the army and navy officers that the government had primarily focussed its attention on improvement of law and order, irrigation, health and education.

He maintained that the government had also taken various steps to eliminate unemployment. For this, he said, the ban on government jobs had been lifted and the talented unemployed youth would soon be employed on merit.

Talking about Kalabagh Dam, he said that it was all the matter of trust, the decision would be taken with consent of all the provinces and expressed hope that it would be in the favour of all. He maintained that the prime minister would discuss the issue that would be resolved on democratic norms.

About the NFC Award, Arbab Rahim said that the Sindh government had its stance over the issue that the Division of Award should be multiple in nature that should be solved keeping in view the income, population and other issues.

The chief minister said that armed forces of Pakistan had always performed tremendous job in the protection of borders and extended cooperation in development projects including Lyari Expressway, Ratodero-Shikarpur Road, Sukkur Barrage repair and maintenance.

Later, Maj Gen Hamid presented the College Shield to the chief minister. Meanwhile, the chief minister visited the residence of former caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi on Friday.

Arbab Rahim offered condolences on the demise of his brother Ghulam Mujtaba Jatoi and offered fateha for the departed soul. Provincial Adviser Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and District Nazim Naushehro Feroz Masroor Khan Jatoi were also present. -PPI/APP