KARACHI, Sept 20: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Thursday laid the foundation stone near Memon Goth of a new highway from Karachi to Umerkot.

The highway, which will be 261 kilometres long and is due to be completed in several phases, is expected to cost Rs5.2 billion.

In the first phase -- costing an estimated Rs1.2 billion -- a 100km stretch will be completed up to Jhirk. With the completion of the Karachi-Umerkot highway, which will run via Tando Mohammad Khan, a distance of 62km would be reduced.

The chief minister said that the construction of the highway would contribute to the development of cities, towns, industrial and residential areas along the way and would also benefit agro-farming, coal mining, mineral, gypsum, dairy farming, poultry and other related industries.

He said it would be a straight highway passing near the Keenjhar Lake with a bridge on the Indus River near Mulakatyar.

“We are determined to lay a new network of roads for a prosperous future for Sindh and to provide facilities to people in every field,” he added.

In response to media-men’s questions he said he had started “good works” and now the coming governments would be bound to complete the ongoing development schemes.

The chief minister said that on the basis of development work initiated by the present government, he was hopeful that the people of Sindh would elect them in the coming elections.

He said President Musharraf’s record was “clean” and he would be re-elected, adding that his decision to doff the uniform was a good one.

In reply to another question he said he was not aware whether Benazir Bhutto was indeed coming home or how many cases were pending against her.

Secretary Works and Services Faisal Saud and the Gadap Town nazim also spoke.