"The situation is not ideal and I don't want to tell lie to the people," the chief minister said adding that there are defects in law and order, which are to be rectified.
He was speaking at the PTV programme "Roobaroo" telecast here on Monday night. The programme was largely attended by a cross section of people including ministers, social workers, businessmen, industrialists, educationists, intellectuals and university students. They threw critical questions to the chief minister who replied with all patience.
"The situation is not all well and it has to be improved. We will work and improve it," he declared.
Dr Arbab pointed out that law and order is one factor, which attracts investment and his government has chalked out short and long-term plans for bringing improvement in the situation. He said the political situation too is a factor that attracts investment. If political conditions are conducive, then it is bound to attract investment.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that Sindh province is faced with shortage of irrigation water to an extent of 60 percent. He said that there has been an opposition to the construction of big dams, but this confrontation is now heading towards reconciliatory attitude.
He pointed out that the country braces super flood after every five years. He said with the amount of rainfall received last year, big dams could have been filled if there had been big dams in the country. However, this water went a waste. He was hopeful that issue of construction of dams would be resolved.
Referring to NEC Award, Dr Arbab said that there had been no consensus on the Award before he became chief minister and the budget was under preparation when he took over office. He said he has asked the federal government to resolve the issue. He said that Sindh is revenue-generating province and therefore, not only population, but also revenue generation should be taken into account while considering the Award.
He said the federal government had almost reached close to the finalisation of Award, but it could not be announced due to reservations of other provinces. He said he would try for a compromise on this issue with other provinces.
When his attention was drawn to reports that provincial government had stopped release of funds to local governments, the chief minister described the same as totally wrong. However, he said there had been complaints about subordination. He said provincial government is supreme over city and district governments like the provincial government which do take directive from federal government. He, however, admitted that there had been more development under local government system and the system has made an impact. He said there is need for more understanding between provincial and local governments. He informed that a committee has been formed in this regard which is examining the flaws to remove them.
When asked, Dr Arbab categorically stated that his not a helpless chief minister. He said powers of the chief minister and governor are very well defined. He said the governor represents the centre and uses his powers accordingly.
The chief minister said the day he felt he is powerless, he will not remain in his seat.
He said that within the party, he believes in observance of discipline and he knows how to maintain discipline particularly in respect of those who are leg pullers.
He described the killing of women in the name of honour, a big social evil and said the people need to be educated on this count.
When questioned about non-formation of public safety commissions in the province the chief minister pointed out that he had been in the office only for two months now and he has given priority to law and order.
Dr Arbab informed that he had directed the IG police to give priority to community policing. He referred to the experiment of community policing in a society near Hill Park and said it has produced positive results and there had been no crimes in the area now.
He said he is satisfied with the working of police, which is performing its responsibilities under most difficult circumstances and with resources constraints.
Regarding linking of KESC with Hub power system, the chief minister said that KESC had demanded a plot for establishment of grid station, which he allotted without any hesitation.
He said that President Pervez Musharraf has directed that lying of transmission line should be completed within 16 months time frame. He said once the linking is complete, the city will get rid of load shedding and power breakdowns.
He pointed out that DHA is installing a desalination plant, which will also generate power. He said this power would feed the Defence area.
The chief minister said that President Pervez Musharraf is keen to solve the problems of Karachi and it was sheer due to his personal interest that mega projects like Lyari Expressway, Thar Coal Power Project, Northern Bypass have been launched.
He once again rebutted the opposition's allegation of manipulation of Thar bye-election result and said that Shaukat Aziz received 60 percent votes, He pointed out that opposition did not had even local people to appoint them as polling agents.
To a question, Dr Arbab said that he is working for quality education in the province, which is the third priority after law and order, and irrigation water.
In this regard, he told the audience that cadet colleges and public schools would be provided funds while private schools providing quality education too would be properly supported.
Regarding representation to women, the chief minister recalled that in the previous cabinet there had been only one woman minister while he has appointed two women ministers and might take more.
Regarding theft, dacoities and car snatching in Karachi, Dr Arbab said that he had a briefing on the use of electronic gadgets and cameras to check such crimes.