KARACHI, Oct 28: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that there was no mention of the two islands, Buddo and Bundal, in the deal under which the provincial government had provided some 13,635 acres of land of five dehs to the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) at a rate of Rs5 per square yard on Nov 12, 1973.

Talking to media men after chairing a high level meeting at the CM’s House on Saturday, he said: “Our revenue record shows the land does not include any of the islands off Karachi, particularly Buddo and Bundal.”

“I will speak to the prime minister to inform him that these two islands are property of the Sindh government,” he said, and clarified that he possessed the powers of allotting lands in the province and had not transferred his right to Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

The governor, he explained, was only appointed as Chairman of the Coordination Committee set up at federal and provincial level. He said that the matters should be resolved amicably.

He also made it clear that the land provided to the PQA was allotted only for operational purposes and industrial activities.

Referring to the plan for development of the islands, he said: “We welcome foreign investors, because it is linked with the development, but we will approach the federal government in this regard.”

Dr Arbab said that foreign investors were coming to Pakistan, and Sindh had always welcomed foreign investors. Any MoU signed in this regard was good for both the province and the country. He, however, regretted that some opponents of the government were busy playing negative politics in the name of the islands.

Regarding protest by fishermen communities, he said: “I will personally speak to the fishermen of Karachi, their representatives and MPAs of the concerned areas to ascertain their opinion. The problems, whatever they may be, will be resolved.”

In reply to a question, he said necessary legislation had already been done for the appointment of advisers and coordinators in Sindh. However, if the opposition wanted to move to court in this regard, it was at liberty to do so, he added.

Earlier, Dr Arbab told the high level meeting that at least two villages in every district of the province would be converted to a model village.

In all, 46 villages across the province would be improved under the Village Improvement Programme (VIP) while work on 22 villages has been undertaken.

The implementation has been started with the commencement of improvement work in Ahmedabad Goth of Thatta district.

The meeting reviewed the headway made so far in the implementation of the VIP. He noted that Rs50 million has been allocated for the purpose in the current year budget.

Dr Arbab said that the residents of model villages would be provided with all basic facilities. He said that it was for the first time in the history of the province that such a programme had been chalked out.

He urged the officials concerned to accelerate the pace of work on the village improvement programme so that model villages could be established in the far flung areas of the province.

The chief minister impressed upon them to pay due attention to the standard and quality in the development work, and made it clear that no negligence would be tolerated in this respect. He announced that district governments and NGOs would also be involved in the programme.

He noted that the people of Sindh had remained deprived of modern facilities for more than 50 years now whereas they had been kept waiting for such things on false promises.—PPI/APP