October 27, 2003	Monday	Sha’aban 30, 1424

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LAHORE, Oct 26: The first-ever chief ministers conference held here on Sunday expressed concern over water shortage in the country and called for construction of new reservoirs but with consensus.

“The conference has agreed to replace motor vehicle tax with fuel charge, taking inter-provincial measures to curb crime, besides seeking announcement of the sixth National Finance Commission Award,” Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi told newsmen after the conference at the 90-Shahrah-i-Quaid-i-Azam.

The chief ministers of Sindh, the NWFP and Balochistan — Ali Mohammad Mahar, Akram Khan Durrani and Jam Yousaf — were also present on the occasion.

Replying to a number of questions, Mr Elahi said the meeting had agreed to the construction of water reservoirs without identifying any proposed dam. President Musharraf, he said, was talking of all reservoirs in view of warnings of acute water shortage by 2010.

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani said a decision (on Kalabagh dam) should be taken in accordance with the wishes of the people. “People do have reservations (about the dam) and there are other non-controversial reservoirs which should be built first,” he said without directly naming the Kalabagh dam.

Reading a joint communique, Pervaiz Elahi said the meeting had expressed its concern over the water shortage. It agreed that a failure to construct more reservoirs would badly hit the agriculture sector and make it difficult to handle the water crisis after 2010.

The meeting decided that for national integration, like all other issues, the decision on water reservoirs should be taken with the consensus of people of all the provinces. It praised President Pervez Musharraf for informing the people of the seriousness of the water issue and seeking its resolution.

While urging the need for an announcement of the sixth NFC Award, the meeting declared that funds being given to the provinces by the federation under the existing award were inadequate for their development and public welfare projects.

FUEL CHARGE: The conference agreed to replace the motor vehicle tax with the fuel charge which, it believed, would increase the provincial governments’ revenue besides ridding the people of different complications.

The fuel charge would be levied on every litre of petrol and diesel, and a kilogramme of CNG. The governments would collect it from the oil and gas companies’ sales depots and approach the federal government for an approval.

In view of the reservations expressed by Balochistan and the NWFP, the meeting decided to give them additional share in the fuel charge so that they could overcome the revenue shortage they expected to face after its introduction.

The meeting decided that all provincial finance secretaries would settle details of the new tax and submit them for approval by the next meeting of the chief ministers.

LAW, ORDER: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said the meeting decided to take effective inter-provincial measures to curb crimes. The suggested measures included regular meetings of all IGPs, exchange of information about criminals especially those involved in sectarian incidents, a liaison for capturing car-lifters and fortification of border checkpoints.

It decided to adopt steps to check growth, processing and sale of narcotics, and improve the system of arrest and transfer of criminals from other provinces.

EDUCATION: The meeting decided to introduce teaching of languages of other provinces in their respective universities. It also decided to increase the quota of seats for students from other provinces and reduce their tuition fee. They would also be given special scholarships and free hostel accommodation. All education secretaries would prepare a formula in this regard and submit it to the chief ministers in their next moot for approval.

With a view to forging unity among four provinces, it has been decided to exchange visits of delegations of teachers, students, journalists, public representatives, artistes, intellectuals, poets and writers to promote inter-action. Formulation of a strategy to protect interests of the people of all provinces was declared a need of the hour.

The meeting appreciated the efforts by the prime minister to strengthen parliamentary democracy and to promote unity and integrity among different units of the federation.

The chief ministers decided to make their meetings a regular feature. The next conference would be held in Quetta after Ramazan. The provinces would set up special cells in their secretariats to monitor steps for the inter-provincial contact.

Replying to questions, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said all the chief ministers were representing their people. “We are elected people and for the first time are discussing problems of the people while remaining above politics.”

About the Kalabagh dam, he said the meeting was basically aimed at evolving a consensus on new water reservoirs as “we have to take a decision in this regard within a year.”

Speaking on the occasion, NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani said the meeting only agreed to building more water reservoirs. “We do have other projects which are non-controversial and beneficial for the country. All reservoirs should be constructed while keeping in view the will of the people. “This approach can resolve many problems,” he said.

Mr Durrani said Bhasha dam too was important and could also enhance the life of Tarbela Dam. Its feasibility could also be prepared within no time, he added.

He said the meeting also agreed to the establishment of joint checkpoints to curb smuggling and trafficking of narcotics and weapons.

Replying to a question on the Sindh Assembly’s reaction to the Thal canal, Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mahar said resolution on the project had its own importance but all issues of national importance must be resolved amicably.

He said dams were necessary for the country and one could even be built in Sindh. If required, his province would request for Punjab’s share of water.

Mr Mahar said there were certain matters on which misunderstandings were created in the past to make political and personal gains at the cost of people’s voice.

He said there was a need to remove all misunderstandings which was possible only through a mutual dialogue and contact. “We will concertedly take decisions on non-controversial issues and find a way to remove reservations about some others,” he said.

Mr Elahi said the demand for a new NFC award was made with a desire of having more share in the federal divisible pool. There were some other related matters which the finance ministers of all the provinces would resolve, he added.

Replying to a question on agitation in Sindh over the water issue, Mr Elahi said such protests did not provide a solution to the issues. Mr Mahar said agitation by some people did not make any difference.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousaf said only a few people of his province were opposing the development of Gwadar port. This was not a major issue and he had led a large rally in support of the project only on Friday, he added.

He said army checkpoints in Balochistan were not an issue. These were first established during the Ayub regime and then in 1992 on the request of those now opposing them. There were some problems about the posts by the Frontier Constabulary in the far-flung areas and “we are handling it.”

Mentioning sporadic incidents of across the border firing, he said army was a national institution and in case of war could be deployed anywhere in the country without the clearance of any political party.