09 November 2004	Tuesday	25 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Nov 8: NWFP's senior minister Sirajul Haq says the federal government may deduct the cost of imported wheat from the hydel power profit (it owes to the province).

He was commenting on a federal government directive to the provinces to clear dues of the imported wheat they had lifted from the port before going for more shipment.

Talking to reporters at an Iftar organized by the Lahore Jamaat-i-Islami for religious scholars, the minister said the federal government owed to the NWFP Rs345 billion. "It may deduct the wheat cost and other loans and refund us the rest."

Replying to a question, he said the NWFP chief minister would attend the National Security Council (NSC) meeting subject to the MMA supreme council permission.

He denied reports of differences among MMA components over the issue.

Answering a question about Sheikh Rashid's threat to religious parties and MMA governments in the NWFP and Balochistan, Mr Haq said both the federal and the NWFP governments were riding the same boat and sinking of one would mean the sinking of the other too. "As far as people are backing our government, no-one can harm it. Even if someone dared to dissolve the NWFP assembly, we shall return with a heavier mandate."

About Gen Musharraf's proposal on Kashmir, Haq said an 'outsider' did not have the right to impose his will on the Kashmiris. "Jihad will continue till the implementation of the UN resolutions," he hoped.

At the reception, Sirajul Haq narrated 21-month performance of the NWFP government and its achievements in eliminating VIP culture and improvement in law and order, education and health sectors.

Lahore JI amir Hafiz Salman Butt and Mian Maqsood Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.