NAWABSHAH, March 20: Sindh Planning and Development additional chief secretary Ghulam Sarwar Khero chaired a meeting here at the Darbar Hall on Saturday to review progress of development schemes being executed in the district.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Khero said the purpose of the meeting was to discern the progress of the schemes and redress genuine difficulties being faced in carrying these out.

District Nazim Faryal Talpur told the meeting that 94 schemes of Rs204 million were under way to benefit the people of the district.

The executive district officer (works and services) said 40 per cent of the work had been completed while the remaining was in progress.

The additional chief secretary asked the executing officers concerned to ensure the use of standard material and put more effort for the completion of the ongoing schemes.

The meeting was also attended by DCO Gul Mohammad Umrani and Taluka Nazim Ali Akbar Jamali.

WHEAT CENTRES: The food department has set up 20 centres at different places in the district to purchase wheat directly from growers at the government rate of Rs350 per 40kg.

District food controller Qaiser Unnar told journalists that the centres had been set up at various locations, including Sabu Rahu, Mehrabpur, Khadar, War Point, Jam Saheb, 60-miles, Daur, Bandhi, Qazi Ahmed, Nawab Wali Mohammad, Doulatpur and Bachalpur.

US PRESENCE: Members of the Citizens Action Committee for Women's Rights held a demonstration outside the local press club on Saturday to protest against US presence in Iraq for the last one year.

The protesters carried placards and raised slogans against the US forces in Iraq.

HUNGER STRIKE: Activists of the local Shia Ulema Council observed a token hunger strike opposite the local press club on Saturday to protest against the arrest of Allama Sajid Naqvi.

Speaking to the gathering, Maulana Kifayat Hussain Karimi, while terming the arrest a conspiracy, claimed that the Allama was innocent.

The protesters demanded that Allama Naqvi should be released immediately.

MEETING: District coordination officer Gul Mohammad Umrani presided over a meeting of revenue officers at his office on Friday to review progress of recovery of land tax and other government dues.

The DCO directed EDO (revenue) as well as DDOs and Mukhtiarkars to gear up efforts for the recovery of dues and set up camps at taluka offices in this regard.