SWABI, Sept 1: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed the finance division to release in the first week of September Rs100 million, approved for small development schemes in the Swabi district.

During his visit to Swabi on March 18, the prime minister had announced the allocation of Rs640 million for development projects in the district.

Officials said Rs540 million had been allocated for construction of roads and the remaining Rs100 million had been put at the disposal of District Nazim Shahram Khan for distribution among district council members to carry out development schemes in their areas.

The finance division has been directed to release Rs100 million to the provincial government from the funds of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme-11 by Sept 4.

In a letter issued by the federal government, the NWFP government has been asked to ensure that the amount is disbursed to the Swabi district government by Sept 6.

Officials said the federal government had sought a report on the matter by Sept 7.

However, sources in the district government said the release of the remaining Rs540 million by the federal government might take some time.

They said it was expected that the amount would be released during the upcoming election campaign.

The district government has already received President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s development package of Rs100 million and distributed it among district council members for uplift schemes.