The Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marrie has said that equitable distribution of the resources was the only solution of the confronting socio-economic problems and development of the province, as such the PPP government has determined to get NFC Award approved on the basis of multiple factors.
This she said while talking to the journalists at the Committee Room of DCO office Jamshoro on Friday. She said that it is established fact that Sindh Province was contributing 65 percent but getting 23.71 percent revenue shares from the Federal Government that has weakened the financial position of the province and gave birth to many problems.
Shazia Marrie said that previously the provinces had been getting 80 percent share from the NFC Award but in 1996 then caretaker government reversed the formula of NFC Award and the share of the provinces was reduced from 80 percent to 37.5 percent and added that it was unjustified and needed to be revised on the basis of multiple factors rather than population factor.
Replying another question about the strike call made by MQM and ANP on May 12, she said that government was pursing both parties to withdraw their call as they were also the part of this government. She also stressed upon these political parties to withdraw their calls as it would not be in the interest of the democracy and citizens as well.
To another question, she said that the government has removed the misunderstanding of the MQM about its reservation against CCPO and CPO. She said that the statement of the MQM about CCPO and CPO was based on misunderstandings, which have been removed by dialogues.
Shazia said that during the meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan at CM House the leadership of both parties played their positive role for maintenance of law and order and hoped that the same spirit would be continued.
Replying to a question, she made it clear that during the PPP government, Kala Bagh Dam will not be constructed. She termed the Kala Bagh Dam as technically dangerous project for the small provinces who had already rejected it through their Assemblies and added that the finding of ANG Abbasi Commission had also rejected this project.
She said that the Federal Minister for Water and Power did not support this project but he still stands with the view point of small provinces. While responding the question about recent riots in Karachi, she held response the Land Mafia for creating law and order situation and said that the present government took the law breakers under control by taking strict preventive measures.
Shazia said that Sindh government has decided for taking strict action against the land mafia not in Karachi but in whole province as well. Answering to a question about local government system, she said that though it was a good tier of the government but it was totally changed by the previous dictator and imposed it on the nation to get his personal political interest served. She said to bring the reforms and made it beneficial for the public, the government has constituted a committee to remove its flaws and defects.
She said that at present the matter of the next local bodies' election was not in the consideration of the government.
The Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marrie lauding the role of media which they played for restoration of democracy and basic rights of the people said that PPP government has planned to encourage the journalists by facilitating them for their professional duties. She said that it was the PPP government when Ex-Chief Minister Sindh the late Syed Abdullah Shah granted the housing scheme for the journalists of Karachi and again now it was the PPP government when Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has granted the piece of land for the housing scheme for journalists of Hyderabad while the matter of the same facility was under consideration for the journalists of Larkana.
She formed a committee headed by Regional Director Information Hyderabad with the representatives of local journalists for preparing report for the journalists housing scheme at district headquarter Jamshoro. She also announced that the Sindh Information Department (SID) has decided to celebrate press freedom day with the journalists atleast at each district headquarter.