HYDERABAD, Jan 25: There is a crisis of water in Sindh and the provincial government is approaching the federal government to redress the problem and the interests of Sindh will be safeguarded at all costs.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar on Saturday after inaugurating the province- wide silt clearance campaign at the Naseer Canal, near Tando Ghulam Ali, in Badin district, located about 93km from here.

Speaking to the participants of a public gathering at Dumbalo, the chief minister said that the issue of payment of the government-approved purchase price for sugarcane would soon be resolved, adding that a committee had been constituted in this regard.

He appealed the people of Sindh to work for the development of the province and the country.

Mr Mahar said that as an elected representative, he could not stay away from the people, adding that he was launching a series of province-wide visits aimed at contacting the people at all levels.

Dismissing the misgivings about the stability of his government, he said that the present government was there to stay and it would complete its tenure.

Expressing his resolve to solve the problems faced by the people, he said that their problems, which had not been redressed by successive governments in the past, would be resolved keeping in view the larger interest of Sindh.

Referring to the issue of remission in land revenue and other taxes, the chief minister said that the matter would be considered and a decision will be taken soon.

He said that he would soon announce a package of assistance during his upcoming visit to the Badin district, adding that he would also discuss problems with the elected representatives there.

Describing the agriculture sector as being the backbone of the country’s economy, he said that the government would endeavour to provide better facilities for the development of this sector, which was vital for the progress and prosperity of the province.

He said that the livelihood of the people living in rural areas, which was heavily dependent on availability of water, was at stake as there was an acute shortage of water at the tail-ends.