11 April 2004	Sunday	20 Safar 1425

SWABI, April 10: The Swabi Qaumi Mahaz has demanded that the government should allow poppy cultivation in the district and the produced opium should be purchased by the government.

The SQM also demanded five per cent share in electricity royalty and a share in the tobacco excise duty and cess fund.

The Mahaz further said that since the Ghazi Barotha Hydro project and Tarbela Dam are situated in the district, the benefits coming from these projects should be shared with the people of Swabi.

The demands were made at the third convention of the SQM which was held here on Saturday.

Demanding a share in the Rs12 billion excise duty on tobacco and in Rs120 million cess, the SQM leaders said that like the sugarcane cess the proposed share should be utilized on the welfare of growers.