SUKKUR, Nov 18: Sindh Population Welfare Minister Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh has emphasized the need for a consensus among the provinces on construction of more dams on the River Indus.

He was talking to party activists, councillors and influential people of the Shikarpur district at his residence on Monday.

He said he and his friends would abide by resolutions passed by the Sindh Assembly against the Thal canal and the Kalabagh dam.

The minister hailed President Gen Pervez Musharraf for his socio-economic and political policies.

Our Shikarpur correspondent adds: Speaking at a dinner party hosted by Badal Khan Bhayo at the Bhayo House here on Sunday night, the minister said attention was being given to provide basic amenities to the people.

He criticized the opposition for its stand on the Legal Framework Order and other national issues, saying it was playing negative politics.

However, he said the government would not allow any one to harm national interests.

ONE KILLED: One person, Nisar, was killed and two other people were injured when five armed dacoits opened fire on a bus on the Indus Highway, near Farash Mor, Sukkur district, on Monday.

Later, the passengers blocked the Indus Highway in protest against the law and order situation for an hour.