KARACHI, June 15: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the government is making maximum efforts for the promotion of information technology.

Addressing at the inauguration of the Microsoft-2004 Pakistan Developers Conference on Tuesday , the chief minister pointed out that President Musharraf was giving high priority to IT as without achieving advancements in this sector, a speedy progress could not be achieved.

He said that records of all government departments would be computerized and information technology would be fully utilized in this respect. Dr Arbab Rahim told the conference that it was a challenge for him to take up the responsibilities of provincial government under obtaining conditions and he accepted it with missionary spirit.

He spoke about spate of terrorist activities and declared that noose would be tightened around criminals and terrorists so that usual hustle and bustle of this economic hub of the region could be restored.

The accused in acts of terrorism had been arrested, he said adding that situation in Karachi will soon show a visible improvement. About bureaucracy, he said that it had rusted and he was now removing the rust to make them active and functional.

AGRICULTURE: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has directed agricultural development department to extend full cooperation and guidance to growers of the province.

He directed the secretary agriculture to personally monitor the activities of agricultural development department. He said that the department officials, instead of staying in their offices and sending table reports, should go out in the field and guide the growers in positive direction. -APP/PPI