November 26, 2002	Tuesday	Ramazan 20, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, said on Monday that all controversial irrigation projects like the Kalabagh Dam would be launched only after a national consensus, and a guaranteed share for the NWFP in the net profit of hydel power projects.

Talking to a group of reporters on his first day in office the minister insisted on net profit not royalty for the NWFP; royalty remained fixed and net profit fluctuates.

He said that government would resolve the issue according to the agreed formula, adding that the federal and provincial governments, and Wapda would be taken into confidence in this regard.

To a question, the minister said that a long-term hydel projects policy would be formulated to fulfil the country’s future water requirements.

Asked about his views on the proposed Kalabagh Dam, Sherpao said that all projects would be launched after consensus among the four provinces.

He said that utilities would be made efficient and utilization of surplus power enhanced, so that power rates could be reduced through revenue generation.

He refused to comment on the possible replacement of the incumbent chairman, Wapda, Lt-Gen Zulfiqar Ali Khan.

An official announcement said that Sherpao directed National Power Construction, and National Engineering Services of Pakistan to redouble their efforts for acquiring rehabilitation contracts in Afghanistan which would improve links with with the war-ravaged country.

Speaking to senior officials of his ministry, he said, that consumer-friendly power policy was needed to mitigate the financial problems of the common man and to ensure maximum utilization of water and power resources.