NWFP at mercy of centre for net hydel profit, says Siraj

PESHAWAR: Net hydel profit is the largest source of revenue for the NWFP but is being controlled by the federal government, meaning that the province has to beg its due rights from the centre, said Sirajul Haq, the NWFP senior minister, while talking to a delegation from Swabi on Sunday.

Mr Haq said that he hoped the central government would deal justly with the NWFP and other provinces, thereby guaranteeing their economic prosperity.

The NWFP minister said that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) government was carrying out development projects in backward areas of the province in order to bring them up to par with developed areas.

“The government is arranging resources for this purpose and cooperation of the federal government and donor agencies is also being sought,” he said.

He said the enforcement of Sharia in the NWFP was not only in accordance with the wishes of the Islam-loving people, but would also open up new vistas of progress and prosperity, paving the way for a welfare society.

Mr Haq said the MMA government was pursuing a comprehensive policy for the development of all districts of the province despite facing a lack of resources and economic funding. He said the government had released funds to members of the NWFP Assembly without discrimination, as well as additional resources to local governments and had increased its development budget by reducing non-development expenditures.

He said the government had imposed a strict financial discipline on government departments and that foreign-funded projects had been streamlined to yield maximum results. staff report

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