NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Thursday said that the federal government owed Rs 245 billion to the NWFP from its hydel power generation share pending for several years.
This amount, he said, should be released immediately to enable the province to finance its development projects and help it in bringing down the poverty level.
Durrani was talking to a group of journalists after attending a ceremony held by Shell Pakistan to inaugurate Nathia Gali Park which the oil company has rehabilitated making it a tourist attraction in the pine studded hill station.
The NWFP chief minister also sought an additional Rs 2 billion as NWFP's share from hydel power generation annually.
Speaking on the occasion, Shell Chairman, Managing Director Farooq Rahmatullah apprised the select gathering of his company's initiatives to develop skills and train people for different jobs.
Durrani told a questioner that Article 63 of the Constitution bars him from attending the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC). He argued that he was bound to follow his party leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed on all issues of national importance, including the NSC.
On the issue of ban on wheat movement, the chief minister said he has presented a plan to make the province self-sufficient in wheat production. The plan, costing Rs 35 billion, proposes construction of small dams to irrigate additional 85,000 acres of land for major crop.
He said the plan would end NWFP's dependence on Punjab to meet its grain needs. He called Punjab " elder brother of NWFP" and wished for its prosperity.
Durrani opposed military operation against the tribesmen in Wana and urged that the issue should be resolved through dialogue. The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) was ready to play its role to bring strife in Wana to an end.
The chief minister appreciated Shell Pakistan for launching various projects for downtrodden people and extended government's support in such projects.
Speaking on various public welfare projects undertaken by Shell, Farooq Rahmatullah said that these covered health and education; training of drivers; fixing of mirrors at dangerous turns in hilly roads; conservation of forests and supply of LPG in Galiat to provide the people an alternative fuel.
He stressed upon other multinational companies to spend some percentage of their profits on uplift of remote areas, which were lacking basic amenities of life.
Farooq offered the NWFP government his company services for many areas such as drivers training and technical assistance to young for setting up small business for handsome earning.
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