PESHAWAR, Feb 26: The completion of Diamer-Bhasha dam and others major hydel power projects would bring about a green revolution in the country, said Minister of State for Water and Power Engr Amir Muqam.

He was talking to reporters in Besham after attending a briefing on hydel power projects.

He said that after completion of the Khan Khwar, Allai Khwar and Dosar Khwar hydel power projects, the country would become self-suffient in food and electricity. HE said that these projects were vital for generating cheap electricity for the country’s industrial sector. He directed the authorities concerned to accelerate work to complete the projects ahead of schedule.

The state minister termed the construction of big water reservoirs inevitable and said the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam would usher in an era of prosperity and development.

He praised the ‘Vision Plan’ outlined by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the construction of big water reservoirs and said the government was taking keen interest in the development of less developed areas.

He said that a number of development projects were underway in remote areas of Shangla, Bisham, Battagram and Kohistan districts, which would bring the people of these areas on a par with the developed districts.

Amir Muqam reiterated the government’s condemnation of the publication of blasphemous sketches and said the government had censured it in strongest possible terms at every fora and urged the opposition not to politicize the issue for political gains.

He said that everyone had the right to peaceful protest but the government would not allow anti-social elements to disrupt peace.

He criticized the opposition for having responded negatively to the good will gesture of the government by declining representation in the parliamentary committee scheduled to visit Brussels.

The miniter said that Islam did not allow loot and plunder in the guise of protest strikes and the government would not permit anyone to play havoc with the lives of citizens. — APP