07 March 2004	Sunday	15 Muharram 1425

PESHAWAR, March 6: Tehrik-i-Istaqlal has called for maximum provincial autonomy to strengthen federation and remove the growing sense of deprivation among provinces.

Chairman of the Tehrik, Rehmat Khan Wardag, talking to newsmen here on Saturday said that provincial autonomy was the key to strengthening of federation.

He said his party wanted four subjects - foreign affairs, currency, communication and defence - to remain with the Centre and the rest should be transferred to the provinces.

He expressed his concern over what he thought was growing sense of deprivation among smaller provinces and emphasized the need for immediate steps to redress their complaintsand grievances with the federal government. Political parties could play a vital role in this regard, he added.

He also expressed his concern over growing unemployment in the countryandcalledformassiveefforttospeedup industrialization.

He felt that poverty and unemployment were the key factors behind growing crime in the society.

Mr Wardag lauded the performance of the government and said that Pakistan had registered unprecedented economic and financial growth since its independence.

He recalled that when Musharraf took over power, the country's foreign exchange reserves had dwindled to $ 660 million which, he added, had now reached the record $ 12.5 billion.

The Tehrik leader, however, underlined the need for more spending in social sector. He also supported the need for the construction of more water reservoirs to overcome water shortage in the country.