KARACHI, June 5: Sindh Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman has directed that the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses in Sindh be speeded up. He gave the directive to this effect at a briefing regarding this programme, says a statement here on Sunday.

The chief secretary urged that the hurdles in the way of this programme be removed without any delay.

He asked the director of the programme and the Sindh secretary for agriculture to hold a meeting after every fortnight and approach him as well so that the pace of implementation programme could be enhanced and the problems be solved.

Fazal-ur-Rehman asked for the adoption of effective strategy and strengthening of the capacity building so as to equip the officers and staff with modern requirements.

He emphasised that the National Programme for Improvement of watercourses in Sindh be accorded priority so that agriculture could be promoted and the fruits of development reach the people.

During the briefing, the chief secretary was informed that the state of implementation of this programme is very satisfactory in Badin, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Ghotki.

It was stated that gradually special attention was being paid in other districts including Karachi.

At the briefing it was stated that the response in all the districts had been good. Work was continuing with the collaboration of the non-governmental organizations. — APP