01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Jan 31: PML-Q Secretary-General Salim Saifullah Khan has said that nobody can weaken the district government system. He exhorted the Nazims to rise for the attainment of their rights.

Speaking at a function attended by UC Nazims, Naib Nazims and elite at the PML district secretariat on Saturday, he said the PML would work to further strengthen this system.

The ceremony was also attended by ambassadors of the European Union, including Britain's Mark J.Loyal Grant.

He said all the union Nazims are elected representatives "as they have been voted by the masses."

The NWFP government can't inflict any damage to this system, he said. "They should continue with their development programme without any fear," he maintained.

Salim Saifullah Khan said he would leave no stone unturned to develop the backward Lakki Marwat district on sound footings.

District Nazim Lakki Marwat Humayun Saifullah Khan said his government "has long- and short-term policies for the development of agriculture sector in the district."

Among the long-term projects is the construction of Kurram Tangi dam for which Rs300 millions have been earmarked in the federal budget. The project is expected to be formally inaugurated on August 14, 2004.

The project will irrigate over 350 lakh acres of land upon completion, besides generating 63 MW electricity. The total cost of the dam is estimated at Rs12 billion. It will take five years to complete.

The short-term programme for Lakki Marwat includes completion of 53 schemes to meet the problem of drought in the district. These projects will cost Rs24 million and irrigate 85,000 acres.

The revenue generation from these schemes is estimated at Rs370 million per annum.

Earlier, the ambassadors of European Union visited the Lakki Cement Plant, the under-construction district hospital and women and children hospital, Ghazni Khel. -APP