AS an economist, I appreciate the idea of the Zulfikarabad Scheme which will surely  be a source of prosperity and affluence for the people of Sindh, particularly those living in backward areas like Thatta, and Badin. For the people of Sindh no such mega-development scheme has been launched since independence.

The scheme has many dimensional aspects like infrastructural facilities, commercial activities, small-and large-scale business transactions, development in the agriculture of Thatta and Badin, improvement in poultry, fishing and livestock and in the harvesting of major crops of Sindh.

The development of the harbour will fetch many opportunities of employment and job-creation facilities. Duty-free international-market facilities will earn a lot of money. Besides, export and import activities will also be a good source of income for the jobless youths of Sindh.

The proposed expressway from Gharo to Badin will increase facilities of communication and travelling throughout Sindh and the rest of Pakistan. It will also increase commercial activities.

However, if outsiders are invited to settle down and make their homes in the new town, it will turn the local people into a minority. So we have to prepare ourselves in advance to remain competitive and be trained in all the new professions that are to be introduced because of it.

The people of Sindh, including local residents, should be provided all opportunities as well as facilities to take part in all activities so that outsiders can not take things into their own hands. The locals will need constitutional protection for their involvement in newly-created jobs and other economic activities.

Therefore, the people of Sindh are advised to join commercial and business activities and invest their resources in all commercial activities introduced as a consequence of the mega project. It should be considered a gift from the Almighty for the poor and jobless people of the region.

DR ALI AKBAR DHAKAN Chairman, Sindh Devlopment Foundation Karachi