Hydropower generation: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wants payment of Rs 110 billion arrears

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has asked the federal government for payment of the arrears of rupees 110 billion under the head of net profit on hydropower generation in cash and not its adjustment against the loans of the province.
The chief minister was talking to media after initiating construction work on the boundary wall of Bacha Khan Greater Complex in Mardan. The boundary wall will cost more than Rs 170 million. He said that he has talked to the Prime Minister in this regard.
However, he said that the issue of mark-up and uncapping of annual net profit would be resolved in a meeting of the committee constituted by the Prime Minister. The chief minister termed Bacha Khan Greater Campus a mega project, which could take several years to complete.
He said that change of governments should not hinder its completion, as such projects are not owned by a particular political party or an individual rather it carries public importance and serves collective interest. He said that Bacha Khan Greater Campus is expanded over an area of about 5,000-kanal where buildings for Abdul Wali Khan University, Ameer Mohammad Khan Campus of Agriculture University and Bacha Khan Medical College would be constructed.
To a question, he said that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa supports the federal government in its efforts to bring peace in Karachi, which is home to all citizens of the country. However, he was of the view that the ongoing action against terrorist, target killers and land grabbers must be across the board while all political forces must co-operate in making the city a cradle of peace.
The chief minister was briefed that the infrastructure of Bacha Khan Greater Campus, which includes construction of internal roads, and sewerage and drainage system would be completed at a cost of Rs 373 million Later, he inaugurated the improvement work and black topping of access road to Bacha Khan Greater Campus at Mardan. The work will be completed at a cost of Rs 224.6 million.
Speaking on the occasion, Hoti said that he will inaugurate the construction work of Abdul Wali Khan University next month. He on the occasion met with senior faculty members of the university. He directed the university management to prioritise phase-wise construction work in consultation with the commissioner Mardan and other concerned officials of the line departments to arrange resources for the purpose. He reiterated that promotion of education is the top priority of the government as no progress and prosperity can be achieved without education.
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University, Dr Ahsan Ali told that in a short span of time, the number of male and female students of the university has reached 4,263 mark. He further told that the number of PhDs in the teaching staff is 108 while 82 scholars being sent abroad for PhD.
He further told that Mian Rashid Shaheed Campus in Pabbi Nowshera has started work while the campuses in Buner and Chitral would soon start its functioning. The university has a fleet of 50 buses to provide pick and droop facility to the students. The number of colleges affiliated with the university is 66 and presently eight hostels are available for providing residential facility to the students.
Member Provincial Assembly Haji Ahmad Khan Bahadar, Voice Chancellor Agriculture University, Professor Dr Bahadar Khan, Principal Bacha Khan Medical College, Professor Dr Zia-ul-Islam, Commissioner Mardan, teaching and management staff of all the three educational institutions and elite of the area were present on the occasion.