KARACHI, Dec 29: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has declared that no decision on bifurcation of the Hyderabad district has been taken yet. He, however, stated that the proposal was under study.

He said that although the district was small in terms of territory, it was a major one population-wise. The chief minister was expressing his views during a briefing to a group of journalists in his assembly chamber after the day's proceedings of the Sindh Assembly session.

Regarding Khairpur district, he claimed that there was a demand for bifurcation of this district but on technical grounds, it was not possible to split it as the district had a protected status of 'a princely state'. Defending his government's recent move to bifurcate four districts, he said it was in the interest of ordinary citizens, and was not meant o benefit any Jageerdar.

"The NWFP is smaller than Sindh, but has 24 districts,'' he argued, and pointed out that Balochistan had 27 districts and Punjab 36. He said he failed to understand who had stopped the successive governments from creating more districts in Sindh.

He claimed that many people had distributed sweets to express their happiness over the creation of new districts. Even people of Qambar welcomed the move. Dr Arbab further claimed that when PPP leaders visited Qambar to address public rallies, people had refused to listen to them.

He said it made no difference if the name of Shahdadkot was given to a new district which was also a big city. In fact, he added, an announcement to this effect had been made by former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali but he could not implement his decision.

Turning to other issues, the chief minister clarified that the delay vis-a-vis recruitment was not being caused by financial constraints but because of a recruitment policy which was still in the process of formulation. The policy, he hoped, would be made public next month.

He rejected speculations about his intention to step down or a possibility of some in-house change as 'baseless'. "Why should I think of tendering my resignation when the government's performance was satisfactory to people, and also to President Musharraf?'' he contended.

Dr Arbab explained that when he talked of conciliation with the opposition, he never meant his resignation. He said conciliation could create a working relationship between the government and the opposition and discourage the trend of 'opposition for the sake of opposition'.

"So far, the government has not offered anything to the PPP, but the party itself is coming forward for an understanding with the government,'' he said, adding, "so why should we refuse?''

Commenting on the resignation of Mr Arif Mustafa Jatoi, the chief minister said it was the outcome of some family disputes. However, he added, performance of Mr Jatoi was also not satisfactory as there had been complaints against him.

Dr Arbab denied that he had any say in the transfers and postings in the food and agriculture department, and clarified that all decisions had been taken on the recommendation of Jatoi brothers.

"An inquiry is already in progress and action would be taken against those found guilty of corruption and creating a mess,'' he added. The chief minister told journalists that the route of Monabao and Tharpakar would be reopened after necessary formalities.