KARACHI, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Saturday that his government did not believe in mere promises but was taking practical steps to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.

In this regard he referred to some mega projects being implemented in Karachi and said their completion would bring about a visible change in the socio-economic life of this city.

He was addressing ministers and advisors of the Sindh cabinet and senior officials at the Chief Minister House.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister said he considered himself fortunate for his election from an area of Sindh which was considered the most backward where there were no roads and drinking water and proper facilities of health and education.

He said the government was determined to change this situation for which everyone would have to work with a sense of commitment and in a disciplined manner.

He said steps were being taken for the supply of water to Thar And increased supply of anti-snake bite medicines and construction of roads was also under way. He said these measures would radically change the very shape of Thar.

He referred to the problem of Sukkur Barrage and said he had taken up this issue with the president and had recommended that if the barrage was to be rehabilitated at the earliest, then the project should be assigned to the Army and he okayed the same and work had begun on the barrage.

Mr Aziz pointed out that if projects, which bring a positive impact on the economy of the province, were taken in hand these did mobilise the entire government. He also referred to the canal-lining work being carried out in Sindh with funding of the Federal Government.

While discussing the role of the agriculture sector, the prime minister said water had a critical contribution for which "we need storages."

He said that Mangla and Tarbela were coming under silting and the government was now working on feasibilities of new dams and it had to be decided which dam should be constructed first. He said any decision on this count would be taken after taking everyone into confidence.

The prime minister referred to the agriculture Package which was announced by the President and said he had a review of its progress only yesterday.

He said the country had a very good cotton crop.

He said although there had been less cotton production last year as compared to this year, it did bring prosperity in the cotton growing areas and the Government had this year increased its support price.

He said wheat and rice crops too had been very good this year and all these indicators led us to hope for a better economy.

While reviewing the country's economy, the prime minister cited one example of production of motorcycles and said that three years back, the country was producing one hundred thousand motorcycles which has now gone up to 0.5 million this year.

"It is a challenge for us to improve living conditions of the poor and middle income people."

Mr Aziz said that the supply of agriculture credit was also being improved and besides agriculture bank, other banks had also started providing agricultural loans.

He pointed out that incidence of poverty was higher in rural areas and the only way to eliminate it was to improve the lot of farmers. He said that with rainfall, the overall water situation in the country had improved and it would have a good effect on the agriculture.

He asked the provincial government to establish more industrial estates. The Prime Minister said Karachi had a vast investment potential and if capital was invested here it would generate a lot of job opportunities.

He called for promoting SMEs in cities like Sukkur, Nawabshah, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and asked the provincial government to induce industrialists to set up industries there.

The prime minister said that for economic and industrial development, it was imperative to provide better infrastructure facilities while there was need for increase in power generation.

He called for the construction of beach resorts at the Karachi coast and observed that it would change the very shape of the coast.-APP