KARACHI Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday said that World Bank should support and assist Thar Coal and Energy Project so that Pakistan might overcome shortage of power and provide jobs to unemployed people, which was essential for alleviation of poverty. Syed Qaim Ali Shah presided over a high-level meeting with World Bank team at the Chief Ministers House. He thanked the World Bank for its support and assistance in process of rehabilitation and restructuring of flood-affected people. He said that present government had made efforts during last the last three years to provide facilities to common man and come to the expectation of the people. He said that due to active participation in different sectors, the role of nation building departments had improved their performance including their role of study and concentration. The chief minister added that due to heavy floods, the infrastructure of irrigation system, educational institutions, health centres, communication network and roads etc were badly damaged and destroyed. He added that the government was trying for early recovery and measures of rehabilitation of irrigation system, agriculture and educational and health institutions. The chief minister added that together with restructuring and rehabilitation, the main problems was shortage of power and World Bank had previously committed to assisting in Thar Coal and Energy Project, but later the commitment was withdrawn. Senior Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Planning & Development Qaisar Bengali, Chief Secretary Sindh Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha, provincial secretaries of irrigation, agriculture, coal mining departments presented detailed reports on issues of energy problem, water, communication and irrigation sectors. It was informed that after heavy floods, 20 towns and 11,000 villages were flooded while embankments of irrigation system were damaged. It was further informed that about 70,000 people are still in relief camps and government was providing food, shelter, healthcare and other facilities to them. It was informed that the provincial government had encouraged public and private partnership and work was in progress on Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad dual carriage highway, while advertisement had been published with regard to two bridges. The forum stressed upon the team of World Bank to extend full cooperation and assistance for those development schemes. It was also stressed that due to cooperation of World Bank for Thar Coal & Energy project, it will attract other global agencies. It was also informed that 70 minors would be rehabilitated by Nara Canal Water Board. The Country Director of World Bank Rachid Benmessanod appreciated the provincial government for its concerted efforts with regard to rehabilitations and restructuring of flood-affected people and area. He also appreciated the priorities of the government and assured that all maximum facilities would be extended. With regard to assistance and support for Thar Coal and Energy Project, he said that necessary modalities will be reviewed and issues will further be discussed in subsequent meeting to be held tomorrow (Thursday). He said that affected people would be assisted in process of rehabilitation.