January 31, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 1, 1427

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HARIPUR, Jan 30: Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub Khan has said that the ongoing economic development in the country was similar to that of the Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s era when Pakistan, in real earnest, witnessed prosperity due to its green and industrial revolution.

The minister was speaking at a public meeting held at Shadi village of Hattar union council here on Sunday.

Earlier, he inaugurated Rs7.41 million Sui gas scheme. District Nazim Yousaf Ayub Khan, nazims of different UCs and councilors were also present on the occasion.

Mr Khan said the country had witnessed unprecedented economic development twice in its history, one was during Ayub’s period and the other was during Gen Musharraf’s government. He claimed that the country was on the road of real development and economic prosperity.

He said that for providing basic amenities to the people of remote areas the federal government had earmarked Rs6 billion for its Khushal Pakistan fund.

He said till 2007 there would be no village without electricity and other basic facilities.

Mr Khan said that for ensuring access to the telecom facility to the people of hilly and far flung areas the government was introducing wireless local loop technology which would start functioning within next six months in Haripur.

He said for Haripur six under passes, two bypasses, widening of Khanpur road, widening of Karakuram Highway and Sui gas to remaining areas, were the projects to be initiated very soon.

He informed the gathering that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would be soon visit the area and would inaugurate Haripur stadium.

Criticizing the MMA, he said the NWFP government was receiving Rs6 billion annually from the centre on account of hydel profit share but it had ignored the people of Hazara who had rendered sacrifices for Tarbela dam.