Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said the Thar is game changer and "we have changed the game by excavating coal and now going to transmit first electron in the national grid in December 2018."
This he said while addressing a delegation of 215 participants of National Security & War Course-2019 of National Defence University who called on him here at the CM House. The programme was attended by the Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, P&D chairman Mohammad Waseem, IG Police Kaleem Imam and other provincial secretaries.
The CM said achievement of open pit mining, installation of coal-fired power plant and production of electricity has a long and painful history. "The coal mining and coal-based power project plan was initiated by Shaheed Mohterma Benazir Bhutto during her second tenure and her successive government not only scrapped the project but dishonoured international commitment," he said and added therefore, no international firm was ready to invest in Thar.
Drought: Murad Ali Shah said the question arises when a city has been developed and billion of dollars investment was taking place there why children are dying and poverty is on the increase. Replying to the question he raised himself, he said poverty is the result of drought. A large portion of the population lives in the deserts. Their livelihood depends on rainfall; they grow bajar, juwar and such other crops when it pours down heavily. He added that when it does not pour down people start migrating and during migration their cattle and children die.
Shah said after restoring law and order the dilapidated infrastructure of the city, including under passes and overhead bridges has been reconstructed. Delayed K-IV bulk water supply and S-III projects and other water treatment projects have also been initiated. "We have also launched public transport project and InshaAllah the project of KCR would also see light of the day shortly," he said and added the establishment of new industrial zones would create employment opportunities.
Dams: Replying to a question, the chief minister said the water shortage has badly affected ecology of Indus delta. Our river system has not so much water that new dams be constructed.
"The solution of water shortage could be controlled through conservation, change in cropping patter - means we would have to switch over to low delta crops and canal lining," he said and added take this year, the kharif season faced water shortage and again prediction of 40 percent shortage of water has been made for Kharif season and this kind of situation goes on year after year and once in 10 to eight years floods are received. "In this situation how new dams can be constructed," he said and added "we do not oppose dams but our narration is very clear," he said.
18th Amendment: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah replying to a question said the 18th constitutional amendment has strengthened the federation. After the 18th amendment, provincial governments have become administratively, financially and democratically strong. Its fruits are being harvested by all the provincial governments. He said Sindh has become financially a little strong with the creation of SRB which collects services on sales. Similarly, Punjab has become financially stronger.
There are some people who believe in centralization of powers are opposing 18th amendment, he said and added in the modern democracy powers are devolved. "We would strongly oppose any attempt to roll back 18th amendment," he vowed.
Earlier, Chief Instructor of National Defence University (NDU) Rear Admiral Zain Zulfiquar thanked the chief minister for meeting with his delegation and presented him a memento. The chief minister also presented memento to the NDU Chief Instructor.
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