DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Aug 4: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that natural gas will be provided to six southern districts of the province.

He was speaking at a public meeting here on Sunday.

MMA General-Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rehman and MNA Maulana Attaur 

Rehman were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister also announced a number of development projects for Dera Ismail Khan worth millions of rupees.

He said that Rs60.35 million would be spent on improving sewerage and drainage system of the city.

He added that 100 more beds would be provided to the under construction Mufti Mahmood Hospital, increasing its capacity to 300 beds. He also announced the upgrading of five government middle schools to high school level.

Mr Durrani criticized the federal government’s interference in the provincial affairs and alleged that the federal government had bagged 90 per cent resources of the province.

He said that the MMA-led provincial government had announced free education up to matric and would supply free books and uniforms to the needy students.