May 11, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 5, 1429

KARACHI, May 10: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Saturday that around 40,000 vacancies in different departments would be filled before the coming budget.

Without elaborating the financial burden which would be created by the massive recruitment, he said that jobs were being given to reduce unemployment and to improve economic conditions of people.

Addressing a press conference at the Bilawal House, the chief minister said all recruitments would be made on ‘merit’.

He said that the law and order situation had improved since the formation of the PPP government in the province.

He said that there was decrease in incidents of street crime and kidnapping in the last one month.

He said the government’s efforts for improving law and order and controlling street crime would produce results in a couple of months.

Mr Shah said that around 40 per cent healthcare units in rural areas had been closed due to shortage of staff and equipment depriving people of those areas of basic health facilities.He said the government would soon reopen the healthcare units and more lady heath workers would be recruited to improve health system.

“The government is giving priority to some important issues like education, NFC award, water shortage, housing schemes and unemployment,” he said.