July 08, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1428

KARAK, July 7: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has accused three federal ministers of hindering the implementation of a decision on net hydel profits, given by an arbitration tribunal.

He was speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Karak dam here on Saturday.

He claimed that Aftab Sherpao, Saleem Saifullah and Ameer Muqam, all belonging to the Frontier province, were behind the delay in the payment of the first instalment in hydel profits to his province. The instalment was worth Rs24 billion. The payment was supposed to be made by January 9.

The chief minister claimed that the three ministers feared that the payment of sizeable money would undermine their political role in the province.

The chief minister said that despite facing strong opposition from the federal government, the provincial government had initiated development projects in 24 districts of the province, adding that this was ample proof of the provincial government’s pro-poor policies.

The chief minister said that those who were claiming to have worked for the rights of Pukhtuns had actually done nothing except raising empty slogans and hoodwinking the masses.

Mr Durrani on the occasion announced the construction of a metalled road from Warana in Karak to Waloogi in the Bannu district.

He also announced a grant of Rs10 million for purchase of land for an educational institution for orphaned students of the province.

Earlier, MPA Mian Nisar Gul presented the welcome address and briefly highlighted problems faced by the people of the district.

District Nazim Rehmat Salam also addressed the gathering.

Abdul Sami Paracha adds from Kohat: The chief minister announced a 5 per cent royalty from local oil and gas fields for Kohat on a regular basis and promised to give the Lachi town the status of a tehsil within 15 days.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Darmalak dam in Lachi, 22km south of Kohat, the chief minister said the provincial government wanted to remove all feelings of deprivation prevailing among the people of southern districts of the NWFP for the last 55 years. He said he had decided to give them priority in allocation of development funds.

He said that 20 dams had been approved for the province which would be constructed with the help of the Asian Development Bank, the federal government and provincial grants.

He said the government had released Rs20 million for the formulation of a feasibility report on the dam last year which was now complete. The dam would cost Rs39.91 million and become operational within two years.

It would irrigate 2,500 acres of barren land and provide drinking water to 11,200 people of the area.

In response to demands made by MNA Mufti Ibrar Sultan in his welcome address, Mr Durrani announced Rs50 million for a hospital in Lachi, a degree college for women and notification for giving tehsil status to Lachi within 15 days.

He told the people that the provincial government had released a grant of Rs45 million to the federal ministry of petroleum for provision of gas facility to remaining parts of Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts.