LARKANA, April 22: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has announced that the provincial government will purchase one million tons of wheat in the current season.

The Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan has been asked to reschedule loans of the farmers of those areas, which have been hit by shortage of water and other natural calamities, he told newsmen after speaking to a gathering of Nazims and Naib Nazims of union councils and talukas of the district at the Town Hall here on Monday.

The governor called upon the local bodies’ representatives to support the referendum in order to end the uncertainty in the country and to ensure the continuation of the ‘radical’ reforms introduced by the government.

He dropped a hint that the fate of those district Nazims, who were not supporting the referendum, would be decided in accordance with the Local Government Ordinance.

He said the shortage of water was a natural calamity and there was no proof that Punjab was stealing the water of Sindh. He called upon farmers to adopt modern ways of irrigating lands and sowing in view of the water crisis.

Regarding the Thal Canal project, the governor said the provincial government would not accept anything against the 1991 Water Accord.

Mr Soomro later held talks with different delegations at the Circuit House.

Adds our Nawabshah correspondent: The governor, Sindh, Mohammedmian Soomro said that the president had decided to hold referendum to seek people’s endorsement for the continuation of policies for the development and stability of the country.

He said this while talking to Nazims and Naib Nazims at the district council hall on Monday.

The governor said that the theft of irrigation water must be stopped by taking legal action against those who tampered with it.

He directed the irrigation officers to seek help from the administration and police to ensure that the water available was distributed judiciously.

Earlier, the district Nazim, Ms Faryal Talpur, briefed the governor about the overall situation and problems of Nawabshah District.

Adds our Mirpurkhas correspondent: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has said continuation of Gen Pervez Musharraf’s rule as the president for five more years will ensure success of the devolution of power plan in the country.

The people should cast their votes in the referendum in favour of Gen Musharraf, he said, while speaking to elected representatives and government officers at the State Life building here on Monday.

Federal Agriculture Minister Khair Muhammad Junejo, Sindh Agriculture Minister Hassan Ali Chanhio, Inspector-General of Police Syed Kamal Shah, Chief Secretary Muhammad Javed Ashraf and other high-ranking officials were also present at the gathering.

The governor said the president had taken many revolutionary steps for the benefit of the downtrodden people by allocating funds for development schemes throughout country.

He called upon the elected representatives to understand the new local bodies’ system in order to implement it completely.