Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Sindh Government has decided to prioritize seven more important sectors/departments in the next ADP-2014-15 to ensure the basic deliveries to the people of Sindh. Besides, in addition to seven special development packages, the budgetary provision for dist development programmes have also been made to develop the distt of interior Sindh at the par of developed cities of Sindh. This was decided in the meeting presided by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah to continue the consultation to fix the guidelines for the next ADP of 2014-15, held at CM House Karachi.
Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that we are taking keen interest in the development of the province as such series of meetings was being conducted to frame such a development plan that to be practicable and cater the maximum needs of the people and upgrade the status of the less developed areas and provide the income and employment opportunities and basic facilities to the people at their door steps.
He said that Education, Health, Water, Energy, Works & Services, Public Health Engineering and special initiatives were those sectors which are mostly responsible to deliver for the basic needs of the people are being prioritized. He said that it doesn’t mean that remaining department would be ignored but same would be financially strengthened as par their existing capacity and performance made in current financial year.
The meeting which was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary Planning & Development Mohammad Wasim and other officers and expertise of planning & development department made threadbare sector wise discussion on the proposed schemes, annual allocations with reference to the performance of the deptt.
Besides, the volume of seven especial development packages, district development program, Block Allocation for flagship / Mega priority schemes at Taluka level and launching of Tharparkar Development Authority were also discussed in details in the meeting. The Chief Minister Sindh was a view that education was the 1st step towards the progress & prosperity of any nation.
He said that PPP Govt has always gave priority to this sector and has gained remarkable achievement of qualitative education under its different programmes. He said that in addition to ADP, The Sindh Govt was implementing foreign funded schemes basic education reform programme for better education at the cost of $ 155 million equalant to Rs 14 billion.
He said that under this scheme not only the capacity of the teaching community and their institution was being enhanced but the primary & secondary schools which had been damaged during flood 2010 & heavy rains in 2011 are being rehabilited. Besides those schools having low enrolment due to existing population in the area and having been near to each other were also being consolidated in a one but big comprehensive school building with all learning facilities.
The Chief Minister Sindh said that establishment of education city in Karachi was also a big steps where world reputed educational organizations / universities either establishing their campuses or entering in joint venture with public and private educational organizations. Similarly the number of Cadet College, engineering colleges/ universities was also being increased in interior Sindh to ensure qualitative and technical education. He said only this but innovative organization of the Sindh Govt STEVETA, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Youth Development Programme were also being encrouged to generate more skilled man power and reduce the unemployment from society.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that strategically, Karachi having been on Arabian Sea with seaport facility is most favorite’s city for the foreign investment especially for the countries of the European Union. He said that potential of Govt incentives, cheap labour and vast raw material for Agro oriented and energy production was available. This he said while holding meeting with Mr. Rauli Suikkanen Ambassador of Finland in Pakistan who called on him at CM House Karachi today. The Chief Minister Sindh invited the Finland not only to invest here in the areas of its interest but also to convince the other countries of European Union’s for this purpose.
He said that Sindh was rich in the Agriculture, production such as cotton, rice other food grains, fruits and vegetables besides this province is blessed with the coal reserves wind corridor for the energy production. CM Sindh said that Sindh Govt has established special Economic Zones for the foreign investment in the Karachi. Besides, Education City has also been established where many reputable International organization either are establishing their campus or making joint venture with public and private organizations. He said that Sindh Govt has established Investment Board only to facilitate the investors.
The Chief Minister Sindh invited the Finland Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Rauli Suikkanen to invest here in education city, other manufacturing and energy projects. While talking to CM Sindh Finland Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Rauli Suikkanen said that he purely has came here to promote trade and business with Sindh. He said that we are aware that Karachi has importance in this regard.
The Ambassador took interest in the telecom sector, weather forecast, manufacturing of equipments of different fields and medicines. He desired for having joint working group of both side to boost up the trade and commerce relations.