BADIN, March 21: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has observed that talks and deals with political parties are a part of politics but the People’s Party Parliamentarians will have to join the government led by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Muslim League. Talking to journalists in the Haji Ghulam Mohammad Arain village in Matli, 80 kilometres off here, on Monday, he said there was a need to seek support of everyone to strengthen the democratic system in the country.

Answering a question about the National Finance Commission award, he hoped the issue would be resolved keeping in view interests of all the provinces. He said he would protect Sindh’s interests.

About a demand of fishermen of Badin, Dr Rahim said a committee, comprising Sindh Minister Syed Ali Bux Shah and Adviser Jadam Mangrio, had yet to submit its report to him. He said the matter would be decided in the light of that report.

He said the local bodies’ election would be held in August. Earlier, the chief minister told an open kutchehry that the government was giving priority to maintaining law and order. He claimed that the law and order situation in the province had improved.

He said his government was also paying attention to improve the agriculture system and the quality of education.

He announced that the Haji Ghulam Mohammad Arain village would be given the status of model village and it would be provided with all essential facilities, including healthcare.

Dr Rahim said the Sindh Seed Corporation would be revived so that agriculturists could get benefits.

The chief minister also inaugurated a scheme of upgrading a middle school to high school. The Rs4 million project will be completed in 18 months.

Later, he visited girls’ and boys’ schools and announced a grant of Rs15,000 to schoolchildren. Each student will be given Rs100.

Sindh Population Welfare Minister Syed Papoo Shah, Sindh Irrigation Minister, Nadir Akmal Leghari, Adviser Jadam Mangrio, Liaquat Medical College Hospital Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Jan Mohammad Memon and others also spoke on the occasion.