Inflation Monitor: Larkana the most expensive city in Pakistan

KARACHI: Larkana has become the most expensive city of the country as highest inflation was observed there during November 2011, the State Bank of Pakistan said in its inflation monitor.

According to the SBP, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation on year-on-year basis in federal and provincial capitals of Pakistan was lower than overall inflation observed during November 2011. However, among 40 cities of the country, Larkana was observed with highest inflation during the fifth month of current fiscal year 2011-12.

Larkana city had observed 15.3 percent inflation, comprising 13.8 percent food and 16.4 percent non-food inflation, during the period under review.

Bahawalnagar was observed with second highest inflation of 13.6 percent with food 12.2 percent and non-food 14.5 percent. Gwadar was on third number with 12.7 percent CPI inflation during November 2011.

Among federal and provincial capitals, Karachi witnessed highest inflation. The inflation in Islamabad and Karachi was 8.8 and 8.9 percent respectively during November 2011. In Karachi, none-food inflation was higher than food inflation and a non-food inflation stood at 9 percent, while food inflation was 8.8 percent. Inflation registered in other provincial capitals, including Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta was about 8.2 percent.

Gujranwala, Dadu, Loralai, and Mithi observed 12.1 percent, 11.7 percent, 11.6 percent and 11.5 percent CPI inflation during last month with fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions.

According to SBP's inflation monitor headline CPI inflation on revised base (2007-08 = 100) was recorded at 10.2 percent on year-on-year basis in November 2011 as compared to 11.0 percent in the previous month and 15.0 percent in the corresponding month of last year.

However, CPI inflation on month-on-month basis decreased by 0.3 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.4 percent in the previous month and 1.0 percent in the corresponding month of last year. Seasonally adjusted month on month CPI inflation comes to 0.8 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.0 percent in previous month.

Core inflation (trimmed) on year-on-year basis decreased to 11.5 percent in November 2011 as compared to 11.7 percent in the previous month and 12.8 percent in the corresponding month of last year.

On month-on-month basis, the core inflation (trimmed) was 0.5 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.0 percent in October 2011 and 0.8 percent in November 2010.

Non-food, non-energy inflation, measured by CPI Core (NFNE) on year-on year basis, was recorded at 10.4 percent in November 2011 as compared to 10.5 percent a month earlier and 9.4 percent in November 2010.

Core NFNE inflation on month-on-month basis decreased to 0.6 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.4 percent a month earlier. Core NFNE was 0.6 percent in November 2010.

Rs14 billion needed to strengthen embankments: Qaim

LARKANA: A total amount of Rs14 billion is required for the strengthening of embankments in the province, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said. He added that Rs2.5 billion has been spent by the Sindh government for the strengthening of these protective embankments so far.

Qaim Ali Shah was visiting the Akil-Aghani Embankment on Thursday evening along with provincial ministers Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and Agha Siraj Khan Durrani. On the occasion, the chief minister said that all out efforts were being made to strengthen the Akil-Aghani Loop Embankment and others in the province, and the endeavour was to complete the work before June 2011.

Qaim said the Sindh government was trying to get 400 million dollars as loan on easy installments from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which will be returned in 33 years. This loan will be spent on rehabilitation of roads, water supply, drainage, education and health sectors.

The development schemes in education and health sectors will also be completed. The chief engineer, Irrigation, Right Bank, Sukkur Barrage, briefed the chief minister on the strengthening work at Akil-Aghani Bund. Qaim directed the police officers to ensure security in the area.

Rs14 billion needed to strengthen embankments: Qaim

LARKANA: A total amount of Rs14 billion is required for the strengthening of embankments in the province, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said. He added that Rs2.5 billion has been spent by the Sindh government for the strengthening of these protective embankments so far.

Qaim Ali Shah was visiting the Akil-Aghani Embankment on Thursday evening along with provincial ministers Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and Agha Siraj Khan Durrani. On the occasion, the chief minister said that all out efforts were being made to strengthen the Akil-Aghani Loop Embankment and others in the province, and the endeavour was to complete the work before June 2011.

Qaim said the Sindh government was trying to get 400 million dollars as loan on easy installments from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which will be returned in 33 years. This loan will be spent on rehabilitatiojavascript:void(0)n of roads, water supply, drainage, education and health sectors.

The development schemes in education and health sectors will also be completed. The chief engineer, Irrigation, Right Bank, Sukkur Barrage, briefed the chief minister on the strengthening work at Akil-Aghani Bund. Qaim directed the police officers to ensure security in the area.

High level moot reviews development schemes in Sindh

ARKANA: Acting Sindh Governor Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has directed the officials of National Highway Authority (NHA) to complete the remaining internal roads of Larkana city under Larkana Development Package (LDP) so that the people may be able to get benefit from the development package.

This he said while presiding over a high level meeting held to review the progress of development schemes of Larkana District at the Circuit House here on Saturday. The roads pinpointed include Kamber Road Chowk to MiroKhan Road, Nishter Road, Bakrani Road, Naudero Chowk to village Channa Road. The funds are available with the NHA. The uncompleted roads in the city may be completed by all means in shortest possible time, it was stressed.

The Acting Sindh Governor also directed the officers of provincial highways and buildings department to realise their responsibilities and complete the development schemes without any delay and provided him the lists of development schemes.

During the meeting it was informed that an amount of Rs 650 million was earmarked for the development programme of Larkana District, out of which Rs 500 million was allocated for completing the on- going development schemes in the district and the remaining amount will be utilised under peoples development programme with the approval of SPDC Larkana.

Nisar Ahmed Khuhro directed the officials of North Sindh Urban Corporation that they should ensure the cleanliness of Larkana city and utilise the tractor-brush on the roads, so that without any delay the roads of the city may look like neat and clean, and the drainage system of the city may also be improved without delay.

The Acting Governor also directed the Irrigation officers to immediately prepare a plan regarding the construction of spurs at Aaqil-Agani Bund on the Indus River and the strengthening work of Nusrat Loop Bund, Abad Manguli Loop Bund and carry out the extension of Larkana-Khairpur Bridge without delay.

The work on the above development schemes of Irrigation Department may be stared from December 2010, in order to smoothly face any kind of emergency during the abkalani season in the coming year 2011, he said. In this regard all precautionary measures may be adopted to strengthen the Indus river protective Bunds before any other flood, he further directed.

During the meeting DCO Larkana Abdul Aleem Lashari briefed the Acting Sindh Governor that the government land for establishment of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Larkana has been identified and it will be sent to the provincial government for approval, so that the construction work of the University building may be started in due course of time. The Acting Governor directed the EDO Agriculture Larkana to establish public parks at police line Larkana or near District Jail (MiroKhan Chowk) for the entertainment of people of the city.

The EDO Agriculture briefed the Acting Governor that an amount Rs 2.2 million was spent for the establishment of parks in the city and the site mentioned near Mirokhan Chowk (in front of District Jail Larkana) was already in the scheme and it will be developed as a public park in accordance with an old demand of the people of this city.

Nisar Ahmed Khuhro directed DO Elementary Larkana to provide him the factual position about why the primary school teachers were transferred from the rural areas to the city and in the appointment of primary school teachers only 8 posts were shown in two union council of the city and all the remaining vacant posts of primary school teachers were shown in rural areas. He should be given an appraisal of the matter without any delay, he said.

The Acting Governor Sindh also distributed 55 sewing machines among the needy and poors at his Larkana residence. On the occasion Nisar Ali Shaikh, Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Ghulam Abbas Kehar, Aftab Bhutto, Niaz Laghari, Ameer Bux Gaad were also present. EDO Revenue Asadullah Abro, Project Director SESCO Aijaz Gaad, Noor Ahmed Dayo and EDOs of various departments and district officers were present in the meeting at the Circuit House.

Nisar Khuhro distributes sewing machines/vegetable carts

LARKANA: Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has said that the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was of empowerment of women in the society. The empowerment comes with economic freedom and to achieve this goal “Sewing Centres” will be opened at the union council level through-out Sindh province, so that more and more poor women / widows may benefit from the scheme and stand on their own two feet. This he said while distributing 240 sewing machines among the widows / poor women and vegetable carts among the poor and needy peoples at his Larkana residence, On Thursday. He said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave great sacrifice of her life for the rights of poor people of the country under her vision the present PPP government was allotting 25 acres of government land to each woman Hari, while free fertilizers and seed were also being to provide them, he said. Besides he said in the different institutions the women were also performing their duties in the country. The speaker also said that the Government was giving full attention for the promotion of female education, while the scholarship was being to given the girl students so that after completion their education they will be able to serve the nation in different institutions of the country. He said that we are distributing 20-20 sewing machines in each union council so that the poor women / widows may be able to earn their livelihood on self help basis. The speaker reiterated that the mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will be completed at all cost. Later, The Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro visited Shaikh Zaid Hospital for women Larkana. On the occasion, he appreciated the efforts of the lady doctors who are providing free treatment to the indoor patients specially flood survivors of the affected areas. He also commended the efforts and services being rendered by the Medical Superintendent Chandka Medical college Hospital Larkana Dr. Zulfiqar Siyal. The speaker SA advised all the doctors and other paramedics to continue their service for the betterment of ailing poor and needy people and extent all possible help to them. He also distributed Eid clothes among the indoor female patients of flood hit areas. On the occasion Professor Rafia Baloch, Dr. Shahida Shaikh and other concerned officials were present.

No flood threat to Bhutto's City, says CM Sindh

LARKANA: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that there is no flood threat to Larkana city, and asked the people of Larkana not to give any attention to the rumors.
During his visit to the Aaqil Agani embankment here on Monday, while talking to journalists, he said that a large number of party workers, irrigation officials and district administration Larkana are striving hard to strengthen the vulnerable point at Aaqil-Agani Bund.
Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Minister for Women's Development Ms. Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto, PPP leaders Haji Munwar Ali Abbasi MPA, Dr. Shafquat Soomro, Nisar Ali Shaikh, Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Noorddin Abro, large number of PPP leaders and workers were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister directed the officials of the Irrigation department to ensure the required machinery and stones on emergency basis at the vulnerable point of Aaqil-Agani embankment.
On the occasion, secretary Irrigation and Power Shuja Junejo briefed that the required machinery and stones were reaching at the spot on emergency basis and the speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro established a camp at the embankment to supervise the strengthening work.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah along with Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro arrived at Shahdadkot by air where Minister for Food, Mir Nadir Ali Magsi briefed the Chief Minister that the protective embankment along with bypass was being strengthened. He said that flood water flow was increasing from 3 sides including Balochistan, Garhi Khairo side and Golo Daro area.
Secretary Irrigation Shuja Junejo, Chief Engineers Irrigation Agha Aijaz Pathan, Khalid Memon, SE Saifullah Magsi canal Shafquat Wadho also gave their expert opinion that the floodwater may be given a way via zero point to Hamal Lake and Manchar lake. The proposal was approved by the chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also distributed food items at the relief camp established at Govt Degree College Ratodero. The food packets were donated by the National Bank of Pakistan Larkana Region.

11 relief camps have been established in Larkana district: DCO

The DCO Larkana Syed Hassan Naqvi while briefing at Larkana-Khairpur Bridge has said that 11 relief camps have been established in Larkana district out of which 3 are in Ratodero Taluka, 2 in Larkana, 4 in Baqrani and 3 in Dokri Taluka. Till now an about 7000 people from katcha area have been shifted to the relief camps and about 15000 people are reluctant to shift to pakka areas.

With the help of police and Rangers those people are being evacuated to the relief camps, besides the forcible evacuation is continue for which teams consisting of Revenue, Police and Rangers have been dispatched along with notables of areas, positive results are expected in this regard. He added that the mobile medical dispensaries along with doctors, paramedical staff and medicines are established at the relief camps so that in the time of emergency the free treatment may be provided to the affected people.

On the occasion, Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Right Bank Agha Aijaz Ali Pathan and other officials were also present.

7 flour mills in Larkana & Kambar-Shahdadkot closed in protest!

7 flour mills in Larkana & Kambar-Shahdadkot closed in protest against ban on movement of wheat!

LARKANA: 7 Flour Mills of Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot districts have been closed in protest against the imposition of ban on Inter Provincial movement of wheat. According to a survey conducted by The Regional Times, it was learnt that 7 flour mills of both districts and hundreds of owners of atta chakis have closed their mills and chakis for removal of ban on movement of wheat. Due to the protest several traders have hoarded the wheat and flour. The local shopkeepers are selling flour at Rs 35 per Kg. The President of Flour Mills Association and Former President Larkana Chamber of Commerce Muhammad Anwar Shaikh told RT that in the last season this area had produced a bumper crop of wheat in this connection they should be allowed to do business in other province. Anwar Shaikh admitted that the flour mills have stropped functioning temporally, which will be restored after the meeting with the Federal Minister for Food.

Fixing artificial limbs to patients is great service to ailing humanity: Nisar Khuhro

LARKANA: June 27, 2010.Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has said that fixing of the artificial limbs to the suffering patients/disable persons was the real services for ailing humanity, after the rehabilitation those disable will be able to walk and work frequently to perform their proper role in civil society.

Speaking on the occasion of visit of camp regarding the fixing the limbs to the patients at Chandka Medical Teaching Hospital here on Sunday, the camp was organized by the Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) and thanked for providing funds for fixing artificial limbs to the patients of six districts, in this way 150 patients rehabilited.

He said the rehabilitated persons will be useful citizens in society and self confidence will be developed for their livelihood in their daily life.

It is recalled that the rehabilitation team of DOW Medical University Karachi was performing to fix artificial limbs to the patients of upper Sindh area; the team will continue to work here for more eight days. The training will also be imparted to the rehabilitated persons and the new cases will be registered in this regard.

On the occasion, Pro-Vic Chancellor DOW Medical University Professor Umer Farooq highlighted the performance of fixing limbs to the patients in the University is the section and thanked the speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro for his cooperation in rehabilitation work in Larkana on the occasion.

The Vice Chancellor Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Larkana Prof. Sikander Ali Shaikh also spoke and informed that an amount of Rs. 5 billion was approved by the government for the establishment of University and the PC-I was also prepared and sent to the higher authorities. He hoped that a section regarding the fixing artificial limbs to the patients will be opened in this University.

On the occasion, EDO Health Services Dr. Abdul Fatah Bughio, Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) Dr. Ghulam Ali Hulio, the party leaders Nisar Ali Shaikh, Sanaullah Hulio, Aftab Bhutto, Zakir Hussain Abro, and large number of Docters were present.

President for expeditious completion of Larkana projects

LARKANA, June 21: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed timely and expeditious completion of all development projects initiated by the government under the Larkana Development Package. He asked the Sindh Government to expedite the development work under Larkana Development Package that amounts to 20 billion rupees. The President gave the instructions while chairing a briefing at the President House Larkana regarding the progress on the development projects in Larkana.

Chief Secretary Sindh Fazalur Rehman gave a detailed briefing on various development projects including highways, forests, industrial state, Chandka Medical College Larkana, Quaid-e- Awam University of Science and Technology, extension in mausoleum of martyrs at Garhi Khuda Bukhsh, completion of educational blocks and laboratories at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical university and the construction of a cricket stadium at Garhi Khuda Bukhsh.
Those who attended the briefing included among others Madam Faryal Talpur, MNA; Secretary to the President Malik Asif Hayat;
Chief Secretary Sindh Fazalur Rehman; Chairman National Highway Authority, Advisor to Chief the Minister Jameel Ahmad Soomro and heads of concerned provincial departments.
The President also directed that a quarterly progress report on the development projects in Larkana be submitted to the President Secretariat.