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He said he was committed towards devolution of powers, right from Centre to provinces, and then down to the district levels so that the common men of Pakistan might have a say in the governmental affairs.

He said the problems of common men were mainly linked to grass-roots levels, and the existing system in the country once rectified would help government function more effectively.

The CE said under the envisaged formula of power devolution, districts would be given fiscal autonomy authorising them to collect relevant taxes and spend them on welfare and development projects in the very district.

Provision of justice is also among the basic components of the proposed formula under which the judicial system would be regulated to enable the people to have speedy justice at their door-steps, he said.

Thirdly, the CE said, electoral reforms would be introduced at district level in which it would be ensured that only honest and dedicated people are elected to discharge their duties. "Merit will be made the sole criterion in these elections," he added.

Gen Musharraf said devolution of power formula "is a strategy" under which the deputy commissioner and superintendents of police would become the sub-ordinates of elected people in the districts. He said it was a colonial heritage acquired from the days of Britishers that DCs and SPs had been behaving like masters in the districts they were posted in. "The time has, however, changed and the elected people would be given maximum powers," he said.

The CE said that the government would spend Rs 15 billion under poverty alleviation programme in the 106 districts of Pakistan. Each of the districts would get from Rs 100 million to Rs 150 million, which would be spent and utilised in these districts by public representatives, in consultation with the Army Monitoring Cell and other government functionaries.

He said that poverty alleviation programme (PEP) would be launched from March 1 and it would be run on the pattern of de-siltation programme. He recounted the positive results achieved under de-silting programme in Punjab and NWFP, where in less than half estimated expenditure, maximum achievements were attained.

He said that de-siltation programme had a healthy impact on economy and agriculture, and it would be conducted again next year.

He said that Larkana is an agriculture area, where paddy is the main crop. He said he would ask the agriculture minister, Shafqat Ali Jamote, to evolve a strategy to help the growers of this area. He said agriculture cannot be ignored because it contributes a lot to national income.

The CE said agriculture, information technology, energy, and concentration on small and medium size industries "form the basis" of his economic revival plan.

He urged the growers to boost their crops output, and assured them of maximum help of government.

He said the functioning of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) would be regulated, and the officials would be directed to help the farmers and exporters.

The CE said that he was deeply concerned with the plight of the poor people of Pakistan who have always been neglected in the past. "The curse continues to exist even today," he remarked in an emotional tone.

He said it was a pity that the rights of the poor were usurped. He said this was closely watched by the people of outside world and should serve as an eye-opener.

The CE said that everyone would have to discharge his duty to remove poverty from the rural areas of Sindh, as they are the worst sufferers.

The CE recalled his recent visit to Iran, where there had been a major breakthrough in trade relations between the two countries and Iran had placed an order to import 15000 tonnes Pakistan rice after a lapse of some six years. He said Iran had stopped importing rice, because of its inferior quality. As such, he advised the rice exporters to maintain high quality of their exports.

A noted rice grower, Gada Hussain Mahesar, called for furthering trade relations with brotherly state Iran. He even hinted that there was a chance of some 0.8 million tonnes rice exports to that country.

Some other people spoke of problems faced by the people of Larkana and demanded creation of dry port, inception of passenger train service for Lahore and Karachi from Larkana, and completion of LBOD and RBOD projects. Demand was also made for revival of Larkana Sugar Mills and Shahdad Kot Textile Mills, on which the CE promised to look into the details.

The CE also said that he had approved the Rs 16 billion package for Indus Highway, N-5 in Sindh, which would be ready by December 2001.

On a complaint that some corrupt officials were still indulging in unfair tactics, the CE remarked that he was receiving scores of complaints of injustices and it appeared as if more than half of the countrymen had turned corrupt.

He said his government was fully committed to uproot corruption from the body-politic," but it will take some time".

He said a system would be evolved to screen out corrupt people summarily.

The CE was accompanied by Sindh Governor Azim Daudpota, Corps Commander Lt. Gen Muzaffar Ali Usmani, Federal Minister, Shafqat Ali Jamote, Sindh Minister, Iftikhar Soomro, Chief Secretary, Sindh Zubair Kidwai, IG Police Aftab Nabi, and other senior officials.ÑAPP