KARACHI, Dec 13: Four new districts were created in Sindh on Monday by carving out new entities from Larkana, Dadu and Tharparkar. This was announced by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim at a news conference at the Chief Minister's house.
Dr Arbab Rahim said that under Section 6 of the Sindh Land Revenue Act 1967, his government had, on public demand, created a new district 'Kambar' with immediate effect. It includes talukas Kambar, Warah, Shahdadkot and Miro Khan of the existing Larkana district, with headquarters at Kambar.
Another district carved out of the Dadu district, has been named Jamshoro and includes the talukas of Kotri, Sehwan and Thano Bula Khan. A new district of Kashmore, with headquarters at Kandhkot, has been created out of the existing Jacobabad district and comprises talukas of Kashmore and Kandhkot.
The government has also revived the district of Umerkot comprising talukas of Umerkot, Samaro, Kunri and Pithoro. In view of opposition's objections voiced recently over the government's plan to fragment the existing districts the chief minister was asked if public opinion had been invited on the matter.
Dr Arbab Rahim said it was not necessary because the creation of new districts was only an administrative matter aimed at facilitating the common man in getting his problems solved nearer to home.
He said although the creation of new districts would increase non-development expenditure it would nevertheless help create jobs and expedite development work.
He said the decision would help improve law and order and accelerate the pace of development and bring about a significant change in people's socio-economic conditions.
The chief minister told a questioner that the decision might affect some National Assembly constituencies, especially in Larkana and Jacobabad. He, however, said that there would be no effect on the district governments.
Dr Arbab Rahim said that until the next local bodies elections areas of the new districts would remain under their existing district governments. Sindh Revenue Minister Imtiaz Shaikh said that consultations were being held with the National Reconstruction Bureau with regard to the district government administration for the new districts and a decision would be taken soon.
The chief minister said that something on the line of Balochistan might be worked out. Replying to a question, he said that no decision had yet been taken for appointing district administrators to replace the Nazims. Such a decision could be taken by the federal government, he said and hoped that it would be announced this month.
Dr Arbab said that the creation of new districts would benefit the people. He cited the example of Tharparkar which saw many changes beneficial to the people after its up gradation as a district.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said the districts had been created through an administrative order and notifications in respect of each district had been issued.
The chief minister did not agree with a questioner that there was a rise with incidence of crime, especially in cities, and said terrorism and ordinary crimes were different.
About opposition to the Thal Canal and the Greater Thal Canal, he said the Thal Canal had been built in 1940 and since then its capacity had been upgraded. In 1995, the then PPP government had proposed an increase in its capacity to 9000 cusecs, but that was not approved.
He said that in recent days the attitude of the opponents of the GTC and Kalabagh dam had softened. Asked whether he would support the construction of Kalabagh dam despite Sindh Assembly's resolution against it, Dr Arbab Rahim said he would take a position if and when such a decision was announced.
