KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday presided over a high level meeting with World Bank officials at Chief Minster House.
Chief Minister Sindh thanked the World Bank for their support and assistance in rehabilitation of flood survivors. He said that present government has made efforts to provide facilities to common man.
He said that due to active participation in different sectors, the role of nation building departments has improved a lot.
Chief Minister Sindh added that due to heavy floods, the infrastructure of irrigation system, educational institutions, health centers, communication network and roads was badly damaged.
He added that government is trying for early recovery and measures are being taken for rehabilitation of irrigation system, agriculture and educational and health institutions.
Qaim Shah added the main problem is shortage of electricity. He said World Bank had previously committed to assist in Thar Coal and Energy project, but later the commitment was withdrawn.
He stressed that World Bank should support the Thar Coal and Energy project so as to overcome shortage of power and provide jobs to unemployed people. Senior Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, Minister Agriculture Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Minister Finance
Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister Irrigation Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Planning & Development Qaisar Bengali, Chief Secretary Sindh Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha, provincial secretaries of Irrigation, Agriculture, Coal Mining Department presented detailed report on issues of load shedding, water shortage, communication and irrigation sectors.
The meeting was informed that after heavy floods, 20 towns, 11000 villages were undated while embankments of irrigation canals were damaged.
It was further informed that about 70000 people are still in relief camps and government is providing food, healthcare and other facilities to them.
The provincial government has encouraged public and private partnership and work is in progress on
Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad dual carriage highway, while advertisement is published for construction of two bridges.
The meeting urged the World Bank to extend full cooperation and assistance for these development schemes. It was also informed that 70 small canals (minors) will be rehabilitated by Nara Canal water
board. Country Director Pakistan of the World Bank Rachid Benmessanod appreciated the efforts of provincial government with regard to rehabilitation of flood affected people and area. He also appreciated the priorities of Sindh government and assured that all maximum facilities will be extended.
With regard to assistance and support for Thar Coal and Energy Project, he said that necessary modalities will be reviewed and issues will further be discussed in subsequent meeting to be held on Thursday. He said that affected people will be assisted in process of rehabilitation. The meeting was attended by Hamid Mukhtar, Senior Economist, Ayesha Ahmed Operation Analyst and others.
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