President Asif Ali Zardari has said that European Union responded in "a very positive manner" and assured Pakistan financial support of 100 million euros. Addressing a meeting on Saturday at Bilawal House here, the President, who returned on Friday from Brussels after leading Pakistan's delegation at first ever Pakistan-EU Summit, said that European countries would also import fish in large quantities from Pakistan.
The meeting, attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers and senior officials, lauded the untiring efforts of the President due to which Pakistan is getting full co-operation of international community on various issues.
Reviewing the ongoing and proposed development projects in the province, the President directed Sindh government that the scheme regarding land distribution among landless haris, especially women, should be treated as a special project.
He also directed that Sindh government and Agriculture Development Bank should work together to make the project a success. Tractors should be provided, land being given to landless haris must be fertile, with all necessary facilities, and women should be major beneficiaries.
The meeting discussed Keti Bunder, Katchi Abadis, Thar coal, Gorakh Hill, and RBOD issues. The President directed that no watercourse should be provided without lining. Provincial Irrigation Minister said that hydrological and geotechnical studies of Baran Dam would be completed soon, and work would start in the next few months.
The President called for starting work on dams, and introduction of drip and sprinkle irrigation system to make maximum use of water. He asked the officials to chalk out plan for treatment of TBOD water to make it usable and supply to people of coastal areas. He was told of road construction from Karachi to Keenjhar in public-private partnership. Projects in Nau Dero and Benazirabad were also discussed.
APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed concern over the slow progress in the completion of several development projects in Sindh and asked the authorities to complete these schemes at the earliest.
This was stated by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri while briefing newsmen about the decisions of a meeting, which reviewed the progress on various development schemes underway in the province at Bilawal House here on Saturday.
President Zardari chaired the meeting which was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and provincial ministers and high officials.
"We need to deliver the benefits of these development schemes to the people of Sindh as soon as possible", he noted. The President said that the elected government had completed one year in the office and development schemes should be completed with focussed approach and on faster speed, Marri said.
He agreed that although the government was facing so many challenges, it should not affect the pace of work on development schemes. Expressing dissatisfaction over the progress of these schemes, he said that the pace of work was slow. The speed is missing. Expedite the pace and complete them on fast track basis, he asserted.
"I have been visiting here frequently and reviewing the progress of these projects, yet I do not see a speed which is required", he noted. Referring to the development of two recreational resorts in Sindh, Gorakh Hill and Keenjhar Lake, the Minister said that the president has issued orders to complete these projects as soon as possible.
President asked the government to complete the repair work on Karachi-Keenjhar Road on fast track basis under public-private partnership. She said that President Zardari has also asked the provincial government to also focus on Bhambore project which is a historical site.
Marri said that President Zardari has ordered the authorities to ensure that fertile land is allotted to women folk under land grant policy where 70 percent of this land would be provided to women peasants.
This project should be treated as special project and the allotted land should have all the required qualities. Also ensure that these landless women peasants also get other facilities including farm credit from Zarai Tarraqiati Bank of Pakistan (ZTBL) as well as tractors, he said.
Ms Marri said that the President has also asked Sindh Government to treat Lyari development as special project and develop fisheries sector to boost country's seafood exports.
Earlier, the president was briefed about the water reservoirs and dams by provincial Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah who said that work on Barani Dam would begin in next few months. He was told that hydrological and geo-technical reports about these dams were completed.
Shazia Marri said that the president instructed the concerned department to expedite work on the dams. He also directed to adopt sprinkles and drip irrigation system to conserve water and get maximum results in crop cultivation.
She said that the president has also instructed to ensure that only lined water courses are handed over to farmers. President Zardari also asked experts to prepare a study for treatment of water discharged in right bank drain outfall (RBDO) so that it can converted for potable use.
He said that people of coastal areas specially Badin area are deprived of fresh water and if this water can be converted into drinkable water through treatment. He also underlined the need for the lining of canals to save irrigation water.