PESHAWAR, Jan 12: The federal government has decided to send a six-member delegation, having equal representation from NWFP, Balochistan and the federal government, to Kabul to seek the release of Pakistanis detained in various prisons of Afghanistan.

Taking a prompt action on a proposal made by the NWFP chief minister, Akram Khan Durrani, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had said the delegation would secure the release of Pakistanis who were languishing in Afghan prisons.

According to a handout, Mr Durrani had held a meeting with Mr Jamali at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabd on Sunday and briefed him about the Pakistani prisoners, net hydel profit, Gomal Zam dam, subvention in the National Finance Commission, provision of gas to southern districts, village electrification programme and other pressing matters.

The prime minister assured the chief minister that besides providing Rs230 million from Zakat funds, the federal government would also release Rs5 billion from net hydel profit to the NWFP government this year.

The chief minister informed the prime minister that his government was looking into the minor cases registered against the Afghan nationals detained in the NWFP prisons. He said all such Afghans who were not involved in heinous crimes would be released soon as a goodwill gesture to strengthen the brotherly relations with Afghanistan.

He said the net hydel profit was the major source of NWFP income which should be determined afresh in accordance with recommendations of the AGN Kazi committee.

The prime minister assured him that he would take a just decision in this regard.

The chief minister also explained the importance of Gomal Zam dam for the development of agriculture sector and stressed the need for its early construction. He informed the prime minister that the construction of this dam would turn thousands hectors of barren area into arable and fertile lands.

Mr Durrani requested the prime minister to order the department concerned to provide natural gas to the suburbs of district Charsadda and southern districts of Bannu, Tank and D.I.Khan.

His government wanted to establish agro-based industry which badly needed provision of electricity and natural gas, he said.

The chief minister also underlined the need for enhancing the subvention funds in the NFC Award to initiate development schemes in the province.

The prime minister assured Mr Durrani of his full cooperation for the development of the province and betterment of its people.