KARACHI, Oct 26: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, has directed that progress with regard to shifting of the truck stand from Hawkesbay, and arranging a more spacious space for the purpose near the Northern Bypass be further expedited.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Governor House held as a follow up of his visit to the coastal areas and the Hawkesbay housing scheme last week, he directed concerned authorities that there should be no inconvenience to people of residential areas and those going for recreation.

He warned of prosecution action against government personnel involved in haphazard and violative allotments of land and encroachments.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Advisor Waseem Akhtar, Chief Secretary Mohammed Aslam Sanjrani, Principal Secretary Brig Akhtar Zamin, Nazim Karachi Naimatullah Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Mohammed Saleem Khan, DCO Mir Hussain Ali, Project Director Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, Brig A.S. Nasir of the Karachi Building Control Authority and other.

Ibad, while taking strong notice of encroachments at various points on the Hawkesbay road and illegal occupation in certain sectors, called for strict action against violators.

The EDO Revenue, Mohammed Waseem, informed that 500 acres of land had been identified for a truck stand near the Northern Bypass.

Dr Ibad said that more truck stands be established so that the entire pressure does not fall on a single area or road.

The Project Director LEWP, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, briefed the governor about the progress achieved with regard to the project and implementation of his directives.

He was informed that some 40,000 plots were being developed in various sectors of the Hawkesbay housing scheme, adding that allotment of 9,000 plots would be given to people of the lower income group by January 2005.

Ibad directed an early release of Rs10 million earmarked this year for development works at the Karachi Press Club housing sectors.

He instructed that Rs477 million outstanding against the city government for the hawksbay scheme should also be transferred to the project. The DCO assured of implementing the instructions.

With regard to water and electricity supply schemes for the project, the governor was informed that water requirements of the scheme were being taken care of under the K-III water supply project, while plan for a desalination plant was also under consideration.

HIGHER EDUCATION: The Sindh governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, has emphasised the need for paying full attention to research and and teaching practices for bringing about an improvement in higher education.