SHIKARPUR, July 5: The provincial minister for population welfare, Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, has demanded stoppage of construction of the greater Thal canal, saying such issues should first be settled through dialogue between elected representatives and the chief ministers of all the four provinces.

Talking to reporters at meet the press programme at local press club on Thursday, he said his party would not allow any one to usurp rights of the people of Sindh.

The minister said the governor and chief minister of Sindh were very sincere in getting people’s grievances redressed and would never compromise on their principles.

He claimed they would not only strongly oppose all the anti- Sindh policies but also would try their best to foil all kinds of evil designs in the larger interests of the province.

Replying to a questioner, the minister said Sindh government was devising a formula to provide jobs to youth in the social sector such as health, education and population welfare departments on contract basis. About 400 vacancies are expected to be shortly filled up, he added.