March 20, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1429

QUETTA, March 19: Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi has asked the provincial government to take up with the federal government the matter of outstanding Rs150 billion gas surcharge owed by the federal and Sindh governments.

The governor issued the directive after a meeting at which he was briefed on the Annual Development Programme and progress on the federal government-funded development projects.The governor said the dues include Rs128 billion owed by the federal government and Rs23 billion by the Sindh government.

He said the province had been facing serious financial problems and it badly needed the money to overcome the financial crisis.

“We must take up this important issue with Islamabad and the Sindh government and a proper case should be prepared in this regard,” the governor said.

Referring to the sale of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) shares, he said the province should be given 25 per cent of the proceeds.

He took serious notice of non-implementation of an order of President Pervez Musharraf about writing off agriculture loans of Balochistan farmers and directed the provincial government to take up the matter with the federal government to get a notification issued.

“The president’s order should be implemented without further delay,” Nawab Magsi said.