HYDERABAD, Dec 1 Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari, on behalf of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, announced a relief package of Rs360 million for Qasimabad taluka during the inauguration of the development work. Zahid Ali Bhurgari also holds the portfolio of district president PPP Hyderabad.

The money would be spent on the repair of roads, sewerage and other development schemes of four union councils of Qasimabad taluka which remained neglected since last 11 years, he said.

The scheme was launched for removing the sense of deprivation among the residents of this area he said adding that the Chief Minister, in last Ramazan, had announced Rs2 billion under the Qasimabad Master Plan for the provision of recreational facilities to its people, he said.

The minister said that the PC-I for construction of an underpass near Naseem Nagar Chowk worth Rs150 million had already been prepared. The dilapidated drainage was the biggest problem of Qasimaabad taluka, he said and announced of spending Rs320 million from his own quota under relief package.

Similarly, some Rs40 million would be spent on the repair of roads from the quota of MNA Ameer Ali Shah Jamote he said and added that services of experts were also being acquired to ensure quality of work.

Project Director Shafique Mohammad Lakho gave a detailed briefing on the development schemes.

Vice president PPP Hyderabad district, Amanullah Siyal, Syed Faisal Shah Jamote, Pervez Ansari and Iqbal Soomro also spoke while a large number of PPP activists attended the ceremony.

HIV/AIDS District Nazim Hyderabad Kanwar Naveed Jamil has said that the district government was making all out efforts to provide a healthy environment to the people and keep the district free from HIV and AIDS. He was speaking to a meeting of health officers and UC nazims at his secretariat on Tuesday to mark the World HIV/AIDS Day.

He said that the observance of International HIV/AIDS Day was a milestone in creating awareness among the people of all countries against this menace. He feared an increase in the number of HIV and AIDS patients who reportedly were around 97,400 but was confident that the measures taken in the district would prevent it from spreading.