KARACHI, June 29: Sindh Senior Minister for Finance Syed Sardar Ahmed has said that there is no ban on completing the ongoing development project, clarifying that district governments have been barred from initiating new schemes so that no one could get political mileage in view of the forthcoming local bodies election. The minister was responding to newsmen’s queries after the inaugural session of the seminar on Inter-provincial Harmony organized on Wednesday.

Mr Ahmed said restrictions were put in view of the prevailing political culture. “The people at the helm of affairs in district governments could influence voters by initiating new schemes in their areas,” he added.

When asked about President Musharraf’s possible move in NFC award issue, he said: “The president has stated that he has two options; to remain a silent spectator and let the provinces wrestle without producing any result, or to intervene and take a decision acceptable to all the provinces.”

Asked if he would accept a decision that appeared against the interests of Sindh, the minister replied: “It’s up to the provincial cabinet to take any stand. However, in my personal view, such a decision would enhance the sense of deprivation among the people of this province.” He said the constitution provided that any decision on the NFC Award had to be taken unanimously by all nine members of the Commission.—PPI