05 February 2004	Thursday	13 Zilhaj 1424

SWABI, Feb 4: The government has approved Rs10 million for the provision of electricity to various localities of the district, sources said on Wednesday.

The Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco), the sources claimed, would begin work on the project soon and all requirements have been finalized. However, the sources admitted that a number of localities in the mountainous region might not be able to get the power supply.

SUI GAS: Local parliamentarians have approached the prime minister and the federal ministers for the provision of Sui gas to the district.

Sources told Dawn that the MNAs from the district had apprised the prime minister about the apathy of the Sui gas department and delaying tactics it was adopting.

The sources said that the NWFP chief minister has also taken keen interest in the provision of Sui gas to the district and during his last visit discussed the issue with the MMA leaders.

SCIENTISTS: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) MNAs Maulana Khalil Ahmad and Mohammad Usman alleged on Wednesday that the country's nuclear scientists' debriefing is being conducted on the directives of the US and is devising various strategies to deprive Pakistan of its nuclear capability.

Mr Ahmad said that the scientists who rejected the American pressure and made Pakistan a nuclear state were under going extensive investigation and those who appeased the US were enjoying powers.

Mr Usman demanded that the government should immediately release the scientists.