December 17, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 12, 1423

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ATTOCK, Dec 16: Power tariffs will be reduced when the Ghazi Barotha Hydel Power Project (GBHP) starts production.

This was stated by the federal minister for water and power, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, while talking to party workers at the residence of a MNA, Malik Amin Aslam, in Shamsabad village on Monday.

The federal minister said a 290 Megawatt power producing unit would be ready for production by the end of June. The other four units will also start functioning within a period of one year, he added.

Mr Sherpao said unemployment and poverty are two of the major problems faced by the country.

He stressed the need for taking appropriate measures in this regard and said various development projects should be launched to create job opportunities.

He said unemployed youth of the district would be given preference during recruitment after the completion of the power project.

“The government is aware of the problems faced by the people, but it can’t solve all these in a single day.”

The minister said the elected representatives would utilize their resources to improve the situation.

He hoped that the democratic government would complete its tenure under the leadership of the prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

Mr Sherpao said that relief would be provided to the affected persons of the project. A committee has been constituted to look after the affairs at local level, he added.

He directed the Iesco chief to provide transformers, electricity poles, and other equipment to the authorities at the district for which Rs160.5 million had already been paid.