THATTA, Feb 15: The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who is scheduled to visit Thatta on Feb 19, has evoked hope among the people here.

The people of this district had, in the past, braved a cyclone, the worst ever water shortage, inundation of over 1.2 million acres of arable land by sea intrusion and the Surjani Canal breach.

Meanwhile, a joint consensus committee has been constituted, comprising agronomists, traders, growers, mill owners, irrigation experts and ecologists, irrespective of their political affiliations to plead the case for the district.

This committee will coordinate with the local legislators and its members are expected to meet the Prime Minister to apprise him about the problems faced by the people of the district.

Furthermore, it will request for a relief package, including postponement of revenue recoveries, waiver and relief on agricultural loans and judicious supply of irrigation water.

The committee, according to sources, will also brief the Prime Minister about embezzlement of World Bank funds, meant for the supply of furniture to schools.