KARACHI, Aug. 31 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the initiation of a special programme for the emancipation and empowerment of women in the country. He issued a directive to this effect while chairing a meeting here at the Bilawal House on Monday. The meeting was attended by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the provincial ministers. Later, briefing the newsmen Sindh Minister for Information, Ms.  Shazia Marri, said that the programme has been named as ‘Benazir Behan Basti Programme’.

She said that this very programme pertains to housing and meant for the women who are poor and do not have a home. They can benefit from this scheme through the  Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme cards.

Ms. Marri said that the land to be utilized for this scheme would be provided by the government and for its funding the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum would be approached.

She said that the President also focused on irrigation and stressed that there should be lining of all the canals in Sindh and the methods of drip and sprinkler irrigation be utilized.

For this there would be a meeting soon of WAPDA and all the provincial irrigation departments to devise a comprehensive plan in this respect to convince for drip and sprinkler irrigation.

Shazia said that President Asif Ali Zardari also directed to identify an area in each district of Sindh, where pilot programmes of drip and sprinkler irrigation would be started.

She stated that the meeting also focussed on housing facilities for the police and noted that a number of plans are under consideration in this connection.

The Minister said that in the meeting the President expressed the desire that the police force be brought to the fore as a better service provider.

For this, she added, a number of facilities have been made available, but police force faced  difficulty in housing. Some areas have been identified where police buildings already exist and in these areas highrises would be constructed so that better quality housing could be made available to the police personnel.

Shazia said that in the meeting there was also focus with regard to jails.

She stated that the President expressed concern at the condition of the barracks in the jails and called for providing better facilities to the inmates in the jails especially with regard to space.

The Minister said that the President directed that the barracks in the jails be improved, more construction be undertaken there in accordance with the existing jail manual.

She said that the President directed that lists be prepared which should carry the names of inmates over 70 years of age, women with minor children, and they should not be involved in anti‑state or serious crimes.

This list, the Minister added, would be considered for remitting any sentences.

Shazia said, the President directed that the cardiovascular unit at the Lyari General Hospital be started at the earliest.

He also called for prompt initiation of nursing training centre with a hostel in Lyari.

The Governor and the chief minister apprised the President that in Karachi’s Mauripur Road there is a truck stand on 1,000 acres and steps are being taken to vacate it, because the people have been facing difficulties in travelling in the area because of congestion on the road.

Shazia said that the President expressed the desire that after vacating that place, a park and a university be established for the people of Lyari.

She said that the President also reiterated the desire that all the political parties should work together for carrying forward the process of political reconciliation.

Replying a question, Shazia said the Ramzan package launched by the Government of Sindh for providing subsidized Atta to the people, was appreciated by the President who said that its management should be further improved.

To a question regarding the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, she said that the President has fulfilled his responsibility in this connection in accordance with the Constitution.

The Minister further said that now it is up to the provinces to take their decisions with mutual understanding and consensus.

She said that they should work out a formula for the equitable distribution of resources.

Shazia said that she was sure that better results would emerge in this regard in a politically reconciled environment as well as better conditions.