SUKKUR: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khursheed Ahmed has said the government has reduced the POL prices in public interest and that criticism of the opposition in this regard was unwarranted.  He said the government had no such weapon that could end the price hike in a single stroke.

Addressing the participants of a cattle show organized by the district government. at Naz Bypass, the Minister said that masses should be prepared for further increase in the POL prices in the wake of increase in the prices in international market.  He said that it was unfortunate that the opposition parties were terming the decision of reduction in the POL prices by the government,"topi drama."

About the cattle show, he said a similar show would be held in October in Sukkur district and representatives from abroad would be invited to attend it. Earlier, talking to mediamen, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that said the repair work on protective dykes in Sindh will be completed within three months.  He said President Asif Ali Zardari was personally monitoring the repair work of dykes.

Later, the minister presided over a meeting of the District Development Committee at DCO House that approved a number of schemes worth Rs400 million for the district.

The meeting was attended by Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, MPA Dr. Nasrullah Baloch, MPA Haji Anwer Khan and DCO Sukkur Inamullah Dharejo.