KARACHI: The Government of Sind are likely to ask for a loan from the International Monetary Fund for the construction, of the Kotri Barrage. The request may be made through the Central Government of Pakistan, it was learnt ... yesterday [April 17]. The Provincial Government might ... ask for a loan from the Central Government as well.

Provision for sum of Rs 3,50,00,000 was made in the Provincial Budget for the current year to be spent on the construction of the Kotri Barrage. The total cost of the Barrage, according to the official estimates, will not exceed more than 25 crores of rupees.

The Government of Sind ... are planning to construct another barrage somewhere near Kashmore which will be as expensive as Kotri Barrage. -Staff correspondent [Meanwhile, according to Dawn`s London Office,] Mr Ghulam Mohammad, Pakistan`s Finance Minister, who is due to arrive here next week, is to hold talks with White Hall on further release of Pakistan`s sterling assets. The agreement for 1949-50 releases of sterling balances for Pakistan, amounting to 17-million pounds, terminates at the end of June this year... .