KARACHI, March 24: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has said that Sindh is rich in mineral resources and the government is striving hard for their exploration.

He was talking to provincial ministers, MPAs and people from various areas who met him at the Chief Minister's House on Wednesday. He said Sindh had abundant reserves of gas, oil, coal and other minerals. The huge deposits of coal in Thar would bring progress and prosperity to the province, he added.

The CM told the visitors that two 300MW power stations would soon be setup under the Thar Coal project which would provide cheaper electricity to meet requirements of Sindh.

He said Shenhao Group of China was working on the project which would soon help create a lot of employment opportunities also. Mr Mahar referred to major tourism spots in Sindh and said Gorakh Hills would be developed as another such project for tourists.

He disclosed that Switzerland had offered tree plantation at Gorakh Hill Station and that a Swiss team would be arriving in Karachi in November this year for the purpose. He said that the Swiss government would provide the plants as a gift.

He said that an amount of Rs70 million had been released for Jacobabad Water Supply Scheme which would be completed under army's supervision. On the occasion, people from various areas of Sindh apprised the CM of their problems. He issued on the spot orders for remedial measures. -APP