April 27, 2003	Sunday	Safar 24, 1424

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SWABI, April 26: Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Saturday the ongoing tussle between opposition and the government over the Legal Framework Order was neither a good omen for democracy nor the assemblies.

Addressing the district council here, he said the policy adopted by the combined opposition would harm the democratic process, economic stability and political environment in the country. He advised the opposition to demonstrate sagacity instead of confrontation with the president.

Also chief of his own faction of the PPP, Mr Sherpao alleged that the opposition was bent upon weakening the democratic system and their rigid approach might pave way for another material law.

The government, he said, wanted to strengthen the system and had invited the opposition for talks on the LFO for the purpose.

Referring to the local bodies system, the minister said no political party could change it and it would be flourished with the passage of time.

The local bodies elections, he recalled, were held on the non-party basis and political pundits should give up the idea of meddling in the affairs of district governments. “In our country various systems were introduced but these were used by political parties for their own interest and due to that reason they neither flourished nor did they achieve the desired objectives.”

Talking about reduction in power tariff, he said unfortunately our 70 per cent power production was hydel based and only 30 per cent came through dams. He said the government had inked agreements with foreign companies and Wapda was not in a position to reduce the tariff.

However, he said, efforts were under way to plug loopholes in the administrative system of Wapda and ensure smooth power supply to people. “Fresh appointments would be made in Wapda,” he said.

He said the people affected by Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha hydropower project would be compensated soon.

He announced that a power feeder would be installed in Kernal Sher Killi to control the low voltage problem in the area. He assured Nazims that electricity would be provided to all villages in the district.

Mr Sherpao said Prime Minister Jamali would inaugurate the Pehur high level canal which would help improve agricultural productivity.

The minister announced that Rs20 million would be provided to the district government for development works.

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