Federal Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Sunday hinted that power tariff would be reduced from the next week.
Talking to newsmen here at a local hotel, Sherpao said that reduction in power tariff would be possible due to saving in power since July last.
He said that arrangements for construction of Munda dam have been finalised and an agreement has also been signed with an American firm.
The construction of Munda dam would usher in a new era of prosperity in the province, he added. The dam would generate 740 megawatts electricity and irrigate 29,000 acres land.
The minister said that feasibility report on Bhasha dam might be completed by end of current financial year. He added that feasibility report on Akhori dam is also near completion, which would generate 600 MW electricity.
He said that work on raising of Mangla Dam would be started next month.
Regarding reduction in electricity tariff, the minister said that the matter has already been discussed in the inter-ministerial meeting.
He said that Water and Power Development Authority has made a significant income of Rs 9 billion extra from February 2003 to July 2003. Such income, he said, could be used on reducing power tariff.
Earlier, addressing a certificate distribution ceremony of Afghan female students of physiotherapy here, the minister said that Pakistan wanted to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of the Afghan refugees in an honourable and dignified manner.
Sherpao said government of Pakistan was doing its utmost effort to mitigate the sufferings of the brotherly Muslim neighbour Afghanistan and for this purpose all possible efforts are being made to ensure speedy reconstruction of that war ravaged country.
He said, Pakistan is still home to over 3.5 million Afghan refugees whereas the target of voluntary repatriation of two million refugees will be completed on May 10 by sending a batch of refugees from Islamabad.