LARKANA/SUKKUR: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday told Pakistan Peoples Party’s Larkana and Sukkur division chapters, as well as the two regions’ district leaderships and lower tier workers, that he was regularly reviewing progress of the anti-dacoit operation in the riverine areas of upper Sindh.

The CM, along with key members of his cabinet and the MNAs and MPAs from the two divisions, heard public issues of the areas and proposals for development schemes to be considered on a priority basis while preparing the next budget.

The major issues raised by almost all divisional and district leaders were restoration of law and order through an intensified anti-dacoit operation and adequate supply of drinking and irrigation water across the region.

“I have been reviewing the ongoing operation in the katcha (riverine) areas and have strengthened the police and Rangers [forces in field] for the restoration of law and order in the entire province. There is ‘zero tolerance’ for criminals,” he said.

CM hears public issues in Larkana and Sukkur, seeks inputs on uplift schemes for next budget

PPP’s Kandhkot-Kashmore, Shikarpur and Larkana district leaders stressed that the anti-dacoit operation should be intensified to restore complete peace in the entire region.

Public issues raised, schemes proposed

At the interactive session, held in Larkana’s Banquet Hall, Sachal Colony, the divisional and district leadership of PPP raised a host of issues being faced by the general public.

Provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani and Haji Ali Hassan Zardari; and other senior party leaders Waqar Mehdi, Khursheed Junejo, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Dr Sohrab Sarki and Mumtaz Jakharni, as well as PPP district presidents and general secretaries, local government representatives and workers were present at the session.

They said that people of Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Jacobabad wanted launch of an inter-district Peoples Bus Service. The CM directed Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon to note down the demand and resolve the issue.

They also pointed out that the health facilities relating to trauma and heart diseases were inadequate at government hospitals. The CM assured them that relevant schemes would be incorporated in the next budget and annual development programme.

He said that for important schemes to upgrade Trauma Centre and an NICVD satellite centre for Qambar-Shahdadkot district as well as a degree college and fire tenders for Kandhkot-Kashmore district, additional funds would be earmarked and provided to towns.

Party workers belonging to Larkana district demanded an agriculture university, upgrading of emergency units of teaching hospital and repair and maintenance of the roads damaged by the 2002 heavy rains and floods.

Water termed a serious issue

The issue of water shortage was raised extensively by leaders of all PPP district chapters. The CM termed it a ‘serious issue’, and held out the assurance that whatever quantity was available would be distributed judiciously.

He directed Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro to engage the chief engineer concerned for proper distribution of water during Kharif season across Larkana division and its nearby districts.

The CM was informed that people were facing prolonged power outages and receiving inflated electricity bills. He said that in the next budget, establishment of ‘solar parks’ would be given priority to address the issue.

After the interactive session, CM Shah addressed the party workers and said: “PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has strictly directed me and my cabinet to interact with party workers at the local level to resolve their issues … that’s why I am with you here today”.

Speaking at a similar interactive session in Sukkur, CM Shah said that people of Sukkur division also raised the issues of water shortage, civic problems and poor drainage system. They demanded development schemes in the next ADP to resolve these issues.

MNA Khursheed Shah urged the CM to make it binding on the bureaucracy to serve the masses.

Party workers complained that oil and gas exploration companies operating in Ghotki were not fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

They also demanded solar-powered water supply schemes, proper sanitation and construction of internal roads in Sukkur, Khairpur and Ghotki. LGs representatives demanded raising each UC’s budget from Rs500,000 to Rs2 million.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024