April 29, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 22, 1429

SHIKARPUR, April 28: The government wants to redress the host of problems inherited from previous rulers, said Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani while talking to journalists at his residence in Garhi Yasin, on Monday.

He expressed dissatisfaction over performance of nazims, including district nazims, belonging to particular parties, and said that they in a bid to please their people neglect areas belonging to their opponents. However, he felt that there was no need of district governments.

Regarding Karachi City’s District Nazim Mustafa Kamal, he denied any conflict with him and advised him to fulfil his responsibilities without interfering into the affairs of Chief Minister.

He said the present government will not go against the interests of province with everything to be done for the welfare of people. He said we want to work along with other political parties and without creating confrontation.

To another question he said there were many complaints against district Nazims and inquiries will be conducted against those reportedly involved in misappropriation of funds and misuse of powers.

Our Larkana correspondent adds: Talking to journalists at the mausoleum of Z.A. Bhutto on Sunday evening, the minister said that the government would initiate action against Pakistan Muslim League-backed nazims on corruption charges.

He alleged that the nazims had usurped development funds to the tune of billions of rupees by showing development works only on papers.

The minister said that he had powers to take action against any nazim or taluka municipal officer.

He said that in the Water and Sewerage Board of Karachi, 7,000 illegal appointments were made during the tenure of the caretaker government and added that such appointments would be cancelled and fresh ones made on the basis of merit.

He said that the Pakistan People’s Party government would regularise Katchi Abadis and revive Larkana and Sehwan development authorities to accelerate the pace of development and to provide basic facilities to the people according to the vision of Benazir Bhutto. He said that the government was determined to provide relief to the people who had had braved difficulties for the last 12 years.

Answering a question, he said that dialogues with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement would continue in the interest of the people of the province.

He said that the government had inherited flour crisis and expressed the hope that it would come to an end gradually.

“Karachi is an inalienable part of Sindh and every one has the right to get education and employment there without any hindrance,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Durani laid wreaths and offered fateha on the graves of Mr Bhutto, his daughter Benazir Bhutto and sons Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto.

WHEAT: Larkana District Nazim Mohammad Bakhsh Arijo on Monday imposed ban on transportation of wheat from the district to others for seven days.

Any violation of the order would invite action under relevant laws, warned a statement issued by the district nazim secretariat.