KARACHI, Nov 20: President Asif Ali Zardari asked the Sindh government on Thursday to pay special attention to solving the problems faced by the common man.

Presiding over a special meeting of the provincial cabinet at the Chief Minister’s House, he stressed the need for public-private partnership in irrigation, agriculture, information technology and social sectors and development of archaeological sites and promotion of tourism.

The president said that schemes for poverty alleviation, development of agriculture sector, repair and improvement of the irrigation system, construction of small dams, providing incentives to industries and socio-economic projects in the province should be fully supported.

Mr Zardari said it was for the first time that all political parties were in the provincial government, providing a golden opportunity to make Sindh a rich, capable and thriving province.

The president also asked for adoption of the sprinkler and drip irrigation systems and for brick-lining of all distributaries and said that report in this regard should be provided to him every three months.

Highlighting the importance of water for the future, Mr Zardari said water became as valuable as oil, therefore, every drop should be utilised properly for achieving food targets.

He announced a special package for development of Lyari.

He directed that a pilot project under Sasti Basti should be developed with 30 to 40 per cent share for developers and the remaining for poor allottees.