SUKKUR, June 6: Sindh Irrigation Minister Sardar Nadir Akmal Laghari has said that the theft of water would not be allowed.

He said that in this connection Rangers, police and irrigation officials have bee directed to arrest the persons involved in water theft and produce them in the court of law.

Talking to the newsmen at Sukkur airport on Monday, he said: “we are duty-bound to supply water to the tail-end growers and if water courses are cut off in between, then naturally flow of water decreases with no water reaching to the tail-enders.”

He pledged that, those involved in water theft would be dealt with strictly while officials creating hurdles would also be taken to task.

PUBLIC MEETING: Later addressing a public meeting at Daharki, the minister said that Pakistan Muslim League would launch a struggle against corruption and favouritism and would strive for the betterment and development of the common men in the country, especially in Sindh. A number of people including the elders of Lund tribe and the workers and leaders of People’s Party announced to join the PML.

Those who joined PML included former PPP MPA, Sardar Ahmed Yar Shar, Pir of Sui Sharif, Aijaz Hussain, Mir Zafarullah Khan Lund, Sardar Gamman Khan Khushik, Khalil Ahmed Khan Gabol, Abdul Razzaq Gabol and others.

Majority of those who joined PML belonged to Lund group breaking their association with the Mahar sardars. The Lund group’s announcement of joining PML in a large number indicates that MNA and adviser to the prime minister, Sardar Khalid Khan Lund, may also follow the suit by joining the PML.

The move is aimed to counter the Mahars who are set to contest Ghotki nazim’s post.

CONVENTION: An agriculture convention held here under the aegis of Kissan Board, Sindh, on Sunday has demanded of the government to fix sugarcane rate at Rs75 per maund and cotton at Rs1200 per maund for the upcoming season. This was resolved through a resolution at the All Sindh Agriculture Convention held under the Kissan Board, Sindh, at Sukkur on Sunday.

Some 400 agriculturists from all over the province participated in the convention, which was presided over by Asadullah Bhutto, MNA, while the District Nazim, Sukkur, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, was the chief guest.

Over a dozen participants spoke on the occasion. Highlighting the problems being faced by the agriculturists in the country, the speakers said that no country could prosper without developing its agriculture sector.

Through a unanimous resolution, the speaker condemned that the agriculture loans were being extended to feudal and influential people, while the common growers were being deprived of the facility.