HYDERABAD, Jan 24: Dadu District Nazim Malik Asad Sikandar has said that the local population had the first right over the income derived from the exploration of oil and gas as well as other minerals.

He said that he was holding talks with Lasmo and other companies which were working in Dadu district to secure jobs for the local youths.

Mr Sikandar was talking to a delegation of jobless youths who called on him at his residence in Kotri on Wednesday.

He assured them that in Lasmo, local educated youths would be given preference in the technical field and called upon the youth to acquire technical education with general education.

He said that Dadu district government was taking effective steps to eliminate unemployment in the district.

He cited the example of the Sindh police department in which adequate posts of officers and sepoys had been reserved for Dadu district.

He, however, made it clear that jobs would be provided on merit basis and no recommendations would be accepted.