BADIN, Sept 17: The acting president of Pakistan and the Speaker of National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza, has said that the country is facing several serious challenges and the government is committed to serve the cause of the people without discrimination.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of international day of democracy on Monday, she said that Ms Benazir Bhutto had a vision to introduce full-fledged democracy and had sacrificed her life for the poor and downtrodden people. She said today the country was on the path of democracy after President Asif Ali Zardari took oath of office.

She said that the government alone could not eliminate all the evils left by the former dictatorial rulers during 11 years.

She appealed to people to strengthen the hands of the government so that democracy should not sustain any setback. She said the people should remain patient and wait for some time to address their problems.

She said although Badin district was rich of mineral resources but the people of this district were deprived of their rights. She said the people were aggrieved of the past rulers and wanted that all their problems be solved within a short span of time. She assured the people that the present government would solve their problems and provide relief to everyone.

Announcing a number of development schemes, she said that the British Petroleum would be asked for production bonus for Badin district, also jobs to 200 LHVs would be provided for Badin people, a cardiac unit with latest equipment and eye unit would also be set-up in the town.

She said that 40 villages of the district will be electrified and a network of water filtration plants will also be provided to the people of Badin district.

She said railway services will be restored by Eid. She said that telemedicine facility was being given to the people and initially services will be started in Badin Civil Hospital.

The Acting President said that 200 residential quarters for workers were being constructed which would be allotted to labourers and employees. She said that a centre for teaching the Korean language is being set-up in Badin so that both females and male could be provided jobs in South Korea. She said low cost housing schemes were under consideration, also Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Food Support programme was being started for poor people.

She said that 5500 acres was being allotted to the poor and widows in the district. Earlier, Sindh home minister, Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza claimed “we are serving the people 18 hours out of 24 hours”. He said that the present government would complete its tenure.