MITHI, Sept 25: Thar will soon be formally declared calamity-hit area, Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro said on Wednesday.

The Governor of Sindh was addressing at the inaugural ceremony of free distribution of 100kg wheat bags to the drought victim families here on Wednesday.

Soomro said that he himself, as well as the President, were aware about the prevailing conditions in Thar. He also said that the government realised the grievances of the area’s populace.

The governor said that Thar, being rich in mineral resources, had great potential for development.

Attributing the region’s backwardness on the apathy of successive governments, Soomro said Thar was destined to become a prosperous area in the next few years because President Musharraf was taking a keen interest in providing basic amenities to the people of region.

Soomro said that the government has already sanctioned development schemes worth Rs90 billion for Thar. These schemes, he added, include projects for development of roads, water supply, education and health.

A number of these schemes, the governor said, had already been completed under the supervision of the Pak army.

Soomro urged the people to vote in favour of candidates who were dedicated to the ideals of public welfare and had already rendered services for the electorate.

Earlier, the district Nazim, Arbab Attaullah, said a lot of development work has already been completed on the directives of President Musharraf. However, he added, a lot more needed to be done as Thar still remained deprived of amenities like roads, water supply.

The Nazim urged the governor to direct the relevant quarters to start work on schemes already sanctioned by the government like roads from Chhachhro to Virawah and Islamkot to Nagarparkar as well as water supply from Mithi to Islamkot.