06 February 2005	Sunday	26 Zilhaj 1425

PESHAWAR, Feb 5: The NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said here on Friday that the centre should implement recommendations of the Senate committee to defuse tension in Balochistan.

Talking to reporters after attending the NWFP Assembly session Mr Durrani said that the federal government should hold meaningful negotiations with Baloch leaders, and accept their constitutional demands.

"Lawlessness in any part of the federating unit will be harmful for the integrity and security of Pakistan," he remarked. He maintained that the people of Balochistan should be given all their genuine and constitutional rights.

He said constant denial of rights to the people of NWFP had created unrest and disappointment among the people.

Regarding the construction of Kalabagh Dam, Mr Durrani said that small provinces had serious reservations on the project, while three provincial assemblies had already rejected the construction of the dam.

"We have been requesting the federal government to construct Bhasha Dam instead of insisting on the construction of the most controversial project," he said. Answering to a question, the chief minister expressed ignorance about any details of the bill seeking ban on music and dance in the province saying he had just read the news in the newspapers.

Earlier, the NWFP government dispelled the impression of unjust execution of development schemes in the province and stated that development programmes were launched keeping in view the backwardness of an area.

Responding to the objections raised by various members from the opposition as well as treasury in the NWFP Assembly, the provincial senior minister Sirajul Haq said that the backward areas were always ignored by the successive governments.

The minister will wind up debate on the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and present the district and constituency-wise details of the funds to developmental schemes on Monday.

"We have taken just decisions regarding various areas," he said and reminded that during the previous governments, schools were approved only for the benefits of individuals instead of the welfare of the people of an area.

He claimed: "I will give district and constituency-wise details of the developmental funds on Monday."

The minister said that the MMA government did not want to conceal any thing from the people and MPAs.

The opposition members contested his claims and stated that the development schemes were launched on basis of favouritism. They said that while schemes were launched in some selected districts the rest were completely ignored.

The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and ANP, Abdul Akbar Khan and Bashir Ahmad Bilour, respectively, stated that no practical steps were taken by the government for development of the province.

Attiqur Rehman and Qari Abdullah Bangash complained that Hangu was upgraded to district level some 10 years back but no facilities were provided. The minister assured that all facilities would be provided.