09 May 2004	Sunday	18 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

RAWALPINDI, May 8: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday called for maximum utilization of indigenous resources to meet the growing power and water requirements in the industrial and agriculture sectors.

He was addressing a meeting that reviewed progress on the feasibility study on water reservoirs and emphasized an early completion of feasibility reports on Akori and Munda dams.

The president was informed that the feasibility study on Bhasha dam would be ready by end-June.

Gen Musharraf, who also attended a presentation on the water and power needs in future, stressed that in view of increasing requirement for sustainable economic development, the country 'must take a decision on the construction of water reservoirs this year'.

He was briefed by the private power and investment board representatives about progress on investment in hydel power generation in accordance with projected energy demands of the country.

"We must gear up our efforts to make optimum utilization of indigenous energy resources, including water, gas and coal, for achieving self-reliance in power generation as well as meeting the ever-increasing water requirements on a long-term basis," Gen Musharraf said.

Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz were among those who attended the meeting.

JAMALI-SHERPAO MEETING: Meanwhile, Mr Sherpao called on Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali in Islamabad and discussed with him development projects in the water and power sectors.

He also apprised the prime minister of the agenda of the inter-provincial coordination committee to be convened shortly.

The prime minister hoped that the proposed meeting would result in better provincial harmony and coordination.-PPI/APP