SUKKUR, Feb 12: Sindh Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Sardar Nadir Akmal Khan Laghari has rejected reports about the construction of Kalabagh dam, saying rumours in this regard were part of a disinformation campaign.

He said this while speaking at a press conference here on Thursday. Stressing the need for arriving at a consensus on the issue, he said consensus among the four provinces was vital in this regard, adding Sindh's apprehensions would be removed.

Referring to the law and order situation along the province's border areas, the minister said that the Sindh government had contacted the Punjab and Balochistan governments, adding that joint efforts would be made to stop the inter-provincial movement of criminals.

Sardar Laghari said that a comprehensive plan has been chalked out to increase agricultural and industrial productivity in Sindh, adding that it also envisaged the revival of sick industries.

Dispelling the impression that Punjab was involved in water theft, he said water issues had always been politicized in the country, adding construction of new reservoirs was vital to overcome persistent water shortage.

Highlighting the importance of the ministry of inter- provincial coordination for Sindh, the minister said paperwork in this regard had been completed to resolve outstanding issues between Sindh and other provinces, adding that talks were underway with Punjab and Balochistan governments and positive outcome was awaited in this regard.

He said that the ministry had played a key role in resolving minor disputes between provinces, including the issue of industrial waste water, which was damaging agricultural land in Sindh, especially in Mirpur Mathelo.

He said that the irrigation ministry was reviewing the problem of tale-enders in Sindh and Balochistan and efforts were under way to sort out these problems.

SCHOLARSHIPS: District Nazim Syed Nasir Hussain Shah at a meeting on Wednesday said the government had allocated two million rupees for scholarships of technical education.

He directed district Zakat officer to prepare a list of deserving persons with coordination of Nazims concerned so that scholarships could be distributed through Zakat committees.

DZO Saleem Khanzada briefed the meeting about the tenure of local Zakat committees and district Zakat committee. He said Zakat would be distributed among deserving people as per previous practice.

The Pakistan Baitul Maal District Officer informed the meeting that under the food support programme some 6,690 beneficiaries were getting financial assistance.

The district Nazim expressed his dis-satisfaction over the performance of DO Pakistan Baitul Maal and directed him to improve his performance by making coordinated and dedicated efforts in the public interest.

He also held a meeting with district heads of the executing agencies and directed them to accelerate pace of development work so that people could be benefited of the government facility.

REPORT: The EDO health has issued a monitoring report of the Sukkur and Ghotki districts regarding the first round of polio campaign which was carried out from Jan 20 to 22.

District monitoring teams checked 672 houses and 1,607 children by providing vaccination to 1,554 children and that coverage stood to 98 per cent during the campaign.

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