MIRPURKHAS, July 27: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said he will announce a development package for Mirpurkhas. Speaking at a press conference at the circuit house here on Wednesday, he claimed that proper development works had not been carried out in the city during the first tenure of the local government, leading to pathetic civic conditions. He said he would hold a high-level meeting to hear problems of the city.

He criticized opponents for levelling what he called baseless allegations against him. About his interference in the local body election, he said People’s Party Parliamentarians leaders Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Nisar Ahmad Khuhro were resolving differences by setting up election boards thus they too were involved in the poll process.

He hoped that candidates of the PML and coalition parties would win the polls. He added that candidates of the PML, MQM and the PML-F were contesting the election under the Khushhal Pakistan Panel.

The chief minister said his inspection team, Anti-Corruption Establishment and other agencies were conducting inquiries against nazims allegedly involved in corruption and misuse of powers. He added that after completion of the inquiries, legal action would be taken against culprits.

Dr Rahim announced to establish a medical college in Mirpurkhas. He said establishment of a university or a higher education institution was a longstanding demand of people of the city.

He also announced to provide facilities of dialyses and kidney treatment in the city because due to non-availability of clean drinking water, people suffered from kidney ailments.

He directed the Sindh secretary for health to appoint a suitable officer as civil surgeon of the Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital and ensure availability of medicines, doctors and staff at the hospital. He said a board comprising experts would be set up for betterment and solution of problems of the hospital.

The chief minister directed the EDO, health, to ensure provision of facilities in government hospitals of the district on priority basis.

He gave an assurance that SNE (sanctioned new establishment of a cardiac ward at the civil hospital would be approved.