LARKANA, June 20: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said his government is planning to establish a micro-credit bank to extend loans to growers without interest or with nominal mark- up.

Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday after presiding over a meeting that discussed law and order situation in the Sukkur range, he said this would also encourage the cottage industry.

About terrorist activities in Karachi, the chief minister said the government was preparing short-term and long-term plans to curb such activities. However, he said there was a difference between terrorism and law and order.

He said police needed proper training and facilities to tackle the situation as terrorists were well-trained. Dr Rahim said the Sindh police confronted many problems. He said police had small salaries and they were not equipped with modern weapons to fight bandits.

He said he would approach the federal government for funds for the police department so that it could be provided with modern facilities. Responding to a question regarding distribution of water, the chief minister reiterated that judicious water distribution among growers would be ensured.

When asked about Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad's visit to London, Dr Rahim said he had gone to meet his family and would return on Monday. He said he had no information that Mr Ibad was being replaced by Javed Ashraf Qazi as the governor.

Opposing the governor's rule, he declined that there was a political crisis in Sindh. Responding to another question, he said he had gone to Nisar Ahmad Khuhro'a chamber in the Sindh Assembly to express sympathy over the murder of Munawar Suhrwardi.

District Nazim Khurshid Ahmad Junejo drew the attention of the chief minister towards the weak Akil-Agani flood protective embankment of the River Indus. He said the situation had not improved despite over 1,000 trucks loaded with stones had been dumped to strengthen the embankment.

Dr Rahim ordered the Sukkur Barrage chief engineer to take effective measures to strengthen the embankment. He promised that the Sindh government would provide funds for the purpose.

Representatives of growers and traders during a meeting with the chief minister complained about acute shortage of water. They said nurseries of paddy seedlings were drying up in the district but there was no sign of improvement in the water situation. A delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League, Larkana, incluing Nawab Shabir Chandio, MPAs Altaf Unnar, Sultan Khuhawar and others, also called on the chief minister.