HYDERABAD, April 8: Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has said that he hopes that the federal government will duly consider views of provinces on the National Finance Commission award and announce the award after evolving a consensus.

He was talking to newsmen in Bhit Shah on Wednesday after Shah Latif Awards distribution ceremony on the third and final day of the 260th Urs celebrations of the great Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. Answering a question, he said that the Greater Thal canal was not a project of the Sindh government.

He added that difference of opinion was a fundamental right of everyone but warned that if anyone tried to violate law, he would be dealt with according to law.

Answering another question about policemen's killings in Karachi, he expressed his determination to tighten noose around the neck of terrorists and drag them out of their hiding places. He said that terrorists had no religion and nationality and they were enemies of humanity.

About the Shah Latif Development Project, he said money was no problem and funds would continue to pour in till completion of the project. Earlier talking at the award distribution ceremony, the chief minister said that Sindh had always remained the land of peace and love and its poets, saints and intellectuals had always spread the message.

Mr Mahar said that Shah Latif had emphasised two points - commitment and sincerity of purpose. He said that efforts would be made to disseminate celestial message of Shah Latif and the Sindh government would soon convene an international conference on Shah Latif.

He said that golden jubilee of the Bhit Shah Cultural Centre would be celebrated in October this year. He said that he had already sanctioned Rs25 million for the air- conditioning of the shrine and mosque, expansion of the courtyard, installation of sound system and lighting, improvement of the rest house and provision of other facilities to the visitors.

Mr Mahar said that the project would be completed in two years. He announced that from next year, winners of Latif Awards would also be given a cash award of at least Rs100,000 each.

He also announced the grant of Rs100,000 for medical treatment of writer Hafiz Mohammad Bux Khaskheli and allocation of Rs3 million for the development of Karar Lake and the cultural centre.

The chief minister presented life time achievement award to renowned scholar Dr Nabi Bux Baloch and posthumous life time achievement awards for classical singer Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan and vocalists Ustad Mohammad Jumman and Ustad Muhammad Ibrahim.

Mazhar Hussain and Zulfiqar Ali were jointly awarded Latif Award for vocalist and Atta Mohammad Bhambhro was given the award for his work on Shah Latif. Awards were also given for best stalls and best livestock owners.

Those who were present on the occasion included Sindh ministers Dr Irfan Gul Magsi and Shabbir Ahmed Qaimi and advisers Aijaz Shah Shirazi, Ali Nawaz Talpur and Jam Madad Ali.

Earlier, the chief minister laid Chadar and floral wreath on the shrines of Shah Latif and his father Shah Habib and also laid foundation stone of Shah Latif Development Project. Briefing him, Dr Irfan Gul Magsi said that 70 per cent of the development work would be completed this year and 30 per cent next year.