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Government
soon to undertake big irrigation projects in Sindh: President
Musharraf
NAWABSHAH -President General Pervez Musharraf has said that
the government will soon undertake work on big irrigation
projects in Sindh, including construction of Reni Canal and
Sehwan Barrage.
He was addressing Nazims, Naib Nazims, councillors and
notables of Nawabshah district here on Friday. He said that
the people must realise the fact that the construction of more
water reservoirs was the dire need of the country to save the
cultivable land in future.
Speaking about shortage of water being faced by the province,
the President assured the people that not a single drop of
water from the share of one province will be provided to
other. He said that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA)
chairman is from Sindh to end the misunderstandings of Sindh,
adding that it had often been alleged that Punjab had been
stealing water from Sindh's share at Taunsa and Chashma. He
said that telemetry system is being installed at both places
and engineers from Sindh will be posted there to monitor flow
of water, to redress the grievances.
The president said that in the wake of water shortage in Sindh,
more water from Punjab had been provided to Sindh to help it
overcome water crisis. He made it clear that his government
did not usurp the rights of any province and added that those
engaged in biased propaganda on water issue are trying to
create disharmony among the people of various provinces of the
country. He also emphasised the need for judicious
distribution of water within the province.
About new irrigation projects for the province, the president
said that the construction of Reni Canal at a cost of Rs 10
billion will bring under cultivation an area of 300,000 acres.
Moreover, the work will also be undertaken soon on Sehwan
Barrage, one of the biggest projects from which six canals
will be carved out.
The president said the government had also restarted work on
Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project at a cost of Rs 14
billion to dispose the saline water directly into the sea and
added that amended design will restore Manchhar Lake's
ecology. President Musharraf, who claimed being a Sindhi, said
that the army, the rangers, coast guard and police will
recruit the locals with a view to providing more employment to
people.
He said that his government wanted to extend gas supply to
every nook and corner of the country but limited resources are
the main stumbling block. He said that the gas companies are
reluctant to come and invest in Pakistan and explore gas, due
to low gas tariff for which the prices had to be revised.
He said that "town gas" plan was under consideration through
which gas would be supplied to every place by burning coal at
cheap rates. He said that Thar coal was one of the biggest
reserves of coal in the world.
He assured the gathering that the government will ensure the
wheat price of Rs 300 per 40 kg. "The government will lift
even the last grain to dispose of all the surplus wheat," he
said, adding "I have directed the Pakistan Agriculture Storage
and Supply Corporation (Passco) and provincial food
departments to procure wheat directly from growers so that
they can benefit from the officials procurement operation."
He appealed to the people of Sindh to shun their anxiety on
dams, saying, "I know people are allergic about a dam but for
storing water for agriculture we will have to construct more
dams." He also announced regularisation of Katchi Abadis.
President Musharraf said that 6000 tube-wells were operating
in Sindh on which a scheme to supply power was launched at 33
percent reduced rates and added that 3400 more tube-wells will
be installed soon. President said that he is fully aware of
"inferiority complex" being found in Sindh and said that he
wished to eliminate this complex from Sindhi people and added
that he wanted Sindhis to be doctors, officers, engineers and
his government had already started to work for it.
The president said that about 10,000 acres of land was
distributed among the poor haris of Sindh, 16 acres per head,
through a transparent process and added that the low cost
housing schemes will be started to provide maximum relief to
the poor
Talking about referendum, President Musharraf said that he
will accept Supreme Court's verdict, which can be announced
any time. He said that referendum is legal and constitutional
and seeking people's mandate through a referendum is quite
democratic and added that it will help stabilise economic and
political situation in the country.
The president said that the mass participation in referendum
will bring an end to political instability in the country and
discourage the negative elements. "You have to decide the
future of Pakistan on the day of referendum. I have faith in
the people of Pakistan that they will decide in the best
national interest." He said that although there is no other
person in front of him in referendum but there is an option of
"yes" or "no". General Musharraf urged the people to take part
in the referendum whole-heartedly and cast their vote
judiciously for the continuation of the reforms initiated by
his government.
Earlier, Sindh Governor Muhammadmian Soomro said that the
election of President Musharraf in the referendum is must for
the continuation of his reform. He said that people of Sindh
are highly obliged that president is taking full interests in
education, health, water, agriculture and other problems of
the province. He also said that secondary education is free
and primary education is compulsory while purity system has
been abolished from government hospitals.
District Nazism Nawabshah, Ms Frail Taller presented a gift to
the President and later briefed him about the problems of
Nawabshah including completion of sports complex, phase-IV
water supply scheme, funds for incomplete Tameer-e-Watan
programme of former government, scholarships for students of
Bahria College, flyover from Nawab Wali Muhammad to Sehwan and
release of frozen funds of People's Medical College and
Hospital.
President Musharraf said that he was a sportsman and wanted
youth of Sindh to be active and sportsman adding that I am
agreed to provide funds for completion of sports stadium of
Nawabshah and promise to view other demands by time.
Federal Minister for Information Nisar Memon, Federal Minister
for Agriculture Khair Muhammad Junejo, Provincial Finance
Minister, Hafeez Shaikh, Corps Commander Sindh Ghazi Waseem
Tariq, IG Sindh Syed Kamal Shah and Chief Secretary Sindh,
Jawed Ashraf were also present
courtesy Daily
Business Recorder ,
27 April, 2002
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