Sindh governor inaugurates Bhitai Urs celebrations

Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad said the National Finance Commission (NFC) award acceptable to all would be announced shortly.
He was talking to newsmen soon after the inauguration of 260th Urs celebrations of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai at Bhitshah on Monday.
He said every aspect of the NFC award is being considered extensively and stakeholders are now heading towards a consensus of opinion.
He hoped that everything would be finalised before the current month runs out.
Responding to a question about the arrest of people protesting against the construction of Greater Thal Canal even when the Sindh Assembly has passed a resolution against its construction, the governor said everyone has a right to have his own opinion about an issue or differ with other's but no one has the right to adopt unlawful manners to support his views.
He said breach of law would not be tolerated in any form and those who have been taken into custody were guilty of taking law into their own hands.
Responding to a questioner about arrests of Muhajir Qaumi Movement chief Afaq Ahmed Khan, Dr Ibad said: "Let me make it clear that the government doesn't believe in political persecution or character assassination and these arrests have no relations to political differences."
He said these arrests were made during the campaign launched by law-enforcing agencies against terrorism and crime, which was gaining alarming proportion in Karachi.
Referring to Hyderabad development package, he said it has not been forsaken and was very much there and funds for the development of Hyderabad district would be released soon.
He asked people not to get confused over the package and the source of funding.
He said with regard to extension and renovation of Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif an amount of Rs 25 million has already been released and work is expected to start shortly.
He asked people to spread the message of love and peace of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in every nook and corner of the province and the country at large.
Earlier, he laid floral wreaths and chadar on the Mazars of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Shah Habib and offered Fateha.
The governor was accompanied by Sindh Minister for Aquaf, Zakat & Ushr, Religious/Minority Affairs, Dr Irfan Gul Magsi and Sindh Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor, Sindh Minister for Culture, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimi, Zila Nazim, Dr Makhdoom Rafik Zaman and government officials.
The governor also inaugurated the agriculture and industrial exhibition where many a department had set up stalls. He also inaugurated livestock exhibition.