February 04, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 15, 1428

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PESHAWAR, Feb 3: ANP's Senior Vice President Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has demanded of the federal government to change its oil and gas policies and utilize provincial resources for the development of backward areas of the NWFP province.

He was addressing participants of a protest camp organized by the Awami National Party.

Mr Bilour said the province was rich in gas and oil resources and that the local people should be given benefits of these natural resources of the province.

He said the government had discovered oil and gas deposits in the Karak district and benefits of these discoveries should be given to the people of the area.

“We demand the government to use these resources for the development of underdeveloped areas of the NWFP,” the ANP leader said.

He condemned the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the country and demanded of the government to ensure protection of lives and honour of the people.

“Both the federal and provincial governments have failed to control law and order situation and our intelligence agencies have also failed on this front,” he said.Speaking on this occasion, Afrasiab Khattak said the government should set up an oil refinery in Karak and the NWFP government should adequately compensate the people affected by these discoveries. “The NWFP government should take up the issue of proper gas prices with the federal government.” Karak and other areas that are rich in oil and gas resources should receive special funds for socio-economic development activities.—PPI