Badin, August 05: Badin District Website was launched by the Federal Minister of Education Ms. Zobaida Jalal at Badin. The website www.badin.gov.pk was developed by the District Government Badin in collaboration with IUCN - The World Conservation Union. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that access to info rmation is the right of people; therefore, people must be provided an opportunity to know about the info rmation which is directly linked to their lives. She said that traditionally people have been deprived from access to info rmation but now there is an increased need to disseminate info rmation to the people. Ms. Jalal said that it is imperative that people should know about significant info rmation including the allocation of budgets at national, provincial and district level. She said that the District Government Badin has taken step in right direction by developing district website which would strengthen the devolution plan.

  She said that once people have access to critical info rmation they would start monitoring the service delivery made by the public sector such as schools and hospitals. She said that the website should also have section in Sindhi language so that common people can also benefit from it. The Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Mr. Ali Bux Shah appreciated the District Badin website and said that Badin's contribution in the national economy is significant as it produces oil while its fish resources particularly shrimp are exported. The District Nazim Badin Sardar Kamal Khan Chang and DCO Badin Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah spoke about the initiative. They said that more detailed info rmation of each union council of the district would be available on the website. Tahir Qureshi and Nasir Ali Panhwar of IUCN said that IUCN is assisting the District Government Badin to develop the district vision. They said that info rmation for planning purposes is essential and added that website is one component of District Management Information System (DMIS). Dr. Akash Ansari Chairman Sindh NGO Federation said that the website would be major source of info rmation for not only the people of Badin but also for civil society organizations which are engaged in development of the district at various levels. The ceremony was attended by Senator Yasmeen Shah, Secretary Education Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha besides the representatives of government and non government organizations.