Durrani wants bigger slice of the cash cake

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said on Friday the NWFP and the central government enjoyed cordial relations and hoped the centre would agree to increase the shares of provinces from 37.5 percent to 50 percent from the divisible pool.

Mr Durrani, while talking to journalists in Swabi, said the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) government had informed the National Assembly’s parliamentary committee on water reservoirs that recently visited the province, of its priorities. The chief minister said government officials also discussed rehabilitation of people affected by the Tarbela Dam with committee members and demanded the construction of the Basha Dam, which he added was uncontroversial and useful for the province. “The construction of the Basha Dam will not only increase the electricity production but also provide safety to the Tarbela Dam,” Mr Durrani said.

He said the Kalabagh Dam project was controversial and such projects that were harmful for the solidarity of the country should be avoided. To a question, he said the MMA government was planning to revive sick industrial units at the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate and restore the incentive package. He said the visits of the federal industries minister and the NWFP governor to Gadoon Amazai were part of his government’s efforts. —Staff Report

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